Resistance to the Hungarian presidency’s approach to the EU’s draft law to combat online child sexual abuse material (CSAM) was still palpable during a member states’ meeting on Wednesday (4 September).
The Hungarian presidency of the Council of the EU aims to secure consensus on the proposed law to combat online child sexual abuse material (CSAM) by October, according to an EU diplomat and earlier reports by Politico.
Hungary has prepared a compromise note on the draft law, also reported by Contexte.
The note, presented at a meeting of ambassadors on Wednesday, seeks political guidance to make progress at the technical level, the EU diplomat told Euractiv.
With the voluntary regime expiring in mid-2026, most member states agree that urgent action is needed, the diplomat continued.
But some member states are still resistant to the Hungarian’s latest approach.
Sources close to the matter told Euractiv, that Poland and Germany remain opposed to the proposal, with smaller member states also voicing concerns, potentially forming a blocking minority.
Although France and the Netherlands initially supported the proposal, the Netherlands has since withdrawn its support, and Italy has indicated that the new proposal is moving in the right direction.
As a result, no agreement was reached to move forward.
Currently, an interim regulation allows companies to voluntarily detect and report online CSAM. Originally set to expire in 2024, this measure has been extended to 2026 to avoid a legislative gap, as the draft for a permanent law has yet to be agreed.
Hungary is expected to introduce a concrete textual proposal soon. The goal is to agree on its general approach by October, the EU diplomat said, a fully agreed position among member states which serves as the basis for negotiations with the European Parliament.
Meanwhile, the European Commission is preparing to send a detailed opinion to Hungary regarding the draft law, expected by 30 September, Contexte reported on Wednesday.
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In the text, the presidency also suggested extending the temporary exemption from certain provisions of the ePrivacy Directive, which governs privacy and electronic communications, for new CSAM and grooming.
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See also:
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Robin Edgar
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