Streamer Aria, while supporting child safety goals, opposes the EU Chat Control law, saying “Mass surveillance… sets dangerous precedent” | Esports News
The European Union’s controversial Chat Control Law, since proposed, faced fierce backlash. Recently, even the streaming industry weighed in. Popular streamer Aria joined the list of critics, calling the law a suggested mass surveillance approach to be a threat to privacy, despite its support for child safety goals. The legislation that is set for a vote on October 14, 2025, has ignited heated debate, with many echoing the concerns over the overreach of the government.
Streamer Aria speaks against the EU Chat Control law
Aria, in her made comment, specifically targeted the core privacy concerns of the Chat Control law proposal. While firmly stating her support for protecting the children, Aria warned that this legislation would mandate private messages’ mass scanning. Aria on X stated, “while protecting children” is important, private communications’ “mass surveillance” will set “dangerous precedent.” She further added, there is a need for a “better solution” which would not “compromise everyone’s privacy rights.” With her words, Aria perfectly resonated with the social media’s widespread anxiety about this law.While Aria’s comment echoed many X users’ opinions, there has already been fierce criticism against the law. A user on X, specifically talking about the law and casting doubt on the law’s motive, stated, ” Just remember that anytime they do something to “protect the children”, the last thing they care about is protecting the children.” Another user, echoing deeper skepticism about the law, accused the supporters of being “stupid” and “deluded idiots.” The user even questioned the law’s true intent.Similarly, a user framed this entire proposal as an inevitable erosion of the citizen’s privacy. The comment read, “You think needing an ID for accessing online services is bad? It’s just a matter of time until the EU 🇪🇺 will pass the ‘Chat Control’ law, which is about scanning all communications, especially encrypted ones, via backdoors.”Another detailed critique called out the proposal to be “horrifying” and unsafe, technically. The user argued that it destroys private communications, under the guise of child protection, while it exempts the politicians.A user even expressed fury by labelling this law “dystopian” and reliant upon public “negligence and disinterest” for passing. The user emphasized that this law would subject 450 million EU citizens to automated scanning, and all of it would happen without their consent.
What is the controversial European Union’s Chat Control law?
The European Union Chat Control Law, at its core, is aimed at combating the spread of Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM) online. It’s mechanism that is causing such uproar online is the client-side scanning. It will require applications like Telegram, Signal, WhatsApp, etc., to scan all the user content. It would include scanning of texts, images and videos, before the same gets encrypted.Critics argue that this law will fundamentally break the end-to-end encryption system that remains digital privacy and security’s bedrock. To create such a scanning mechanism would effectively install a permanent backdoor. Experts are even warning that this will make all communication completely vulnerable, not just for state surveillance but also to potential exploitation by hostile actors and hackers. The law will apply to the citizens indiscriminately, irrespective of suspicion.Some proponents, like the Danish EU’s current presidency, have been pushing hard for the adoption of this law by mid-October 2025. It’s been insisted that it is necessary for law enforcement to tackle the rising serious crime. However, the opponents are countering this motive. As per them, mass surveillance would violate the fundamental EU rights to data protection and privacy. It would set a dangerous global precedent, and it could expand beyond CSAM in the near future.Currently, 19 EU states are backing the law’s proposal. The Netherlands, Austria and Poland are on the opposing end. The pending decision from Germany is being considered to be pivotal for the voting that is to be held on October 14, 2025.
How is the world reacting to this law?
While streamers have joined people opposing the law, privacy experts and the technology firms have already blasted the proposal as dangerous and unworkable. Signal, as per reports, has already threatened to pull the application from the European Union if the new law passes, as it would cause irreparable harm to the encryption system. Legal analysts, on the other hand, highlight the conflict between the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights and GDPR, which are meant to safeguard private communications.Some campaigns, including Fight Chat Control, are urging citizens to pressure lawmakers. They are warning of the false accusations and the eroded freedom that would come if the law is implemented. With the voting still looming, the debate that is all over social media is child safety vs privacy concerns. It’s a clash that can redefine Europe’s digital rights.
