Does protecting children justify snooping on private messages? That is the sensitive question facing EU countries Wednesday as they wrangle over a push to combat child sexual abuse material online.

The meeting in Brussels could seal the fate of a legislative initiative that has stirred fierce debate since it was put forward by the European Commission in May 2022.

Backed by multiple child protection groups, the proposal would require online platforms and messaging services to detect and report images and videos of abuse, as well as attempts by predators to contact minors.

But critics — including the EU’s own data protection authorities, lawmakers, and countries such as Germany — warn it poses a “disproportionate” threat to privacy.

They are particularly alarmed by the use of technology

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