Note that the law passed automatically because at least 361 MEPs did not vote against it, regardless of how many voted for it.

Yes this is a real thing in the EU, you can just pass laws on a minority if they really want them.

Straight out of the US/fascist playbook.

This is just gutting to hear about. I'm so incredibly disappointed. I genuinely, and naively as it turns out, thought the EU "leadership" was better than this. :(

What changes with the return of Chat Control 1.0—and what stays the same:

• What is coming back: US tech companies are once again allowed to scan private messages without a warrant or prior suspicion. This affects direct messages on platforms like Instagram, Discord, Snapchat, Skype, and Xbox, as well as emails via Google’s Gmail and Apple’s iCloud.
• What remains unchanged: Public social media posts and files hosted in cloud storage could already be scanned without this law. Furthermore, private messages can always be reported by users, or monitored by authorities using targeted, court-ordered wiretapping.
• What is still NOT being scanned: End-to-end encrypted chats, such as those on WhatsApp, have always been exempt from these scans. Additionally, European providers of messaging and email services have never implemented chat control measures.

Howtheyvote show the reverse in the voting record. 314 in favour

Oh for fucks sake!

So, what are some good encrypted alternatives to common messaging apps? Signal instead of WhatsApp/Messenger etc? Proton mail/drive/etc instead of Google? Any other suggestions? Would a mobile vpn help?

Why are the votes flipped in the article?

Jfc