Momentum has called on Members of the European Parliament to reject the proposed extension of the EU’s “Chat Control” legislation, warning that it would pave the way for mass surveillance while undermining the privacy of millions of citizens.In a statement, the political party said protecting children from online abuse and grooming is an urgent priority, but argued that the current proposal is the wrong way to achieve it.Momentum criticised attempts to fast-track the legislation through an urgent parliamentary procedure, claiming it bypasses normal democratic scrutiny.The party warned that although the proposal does not break end-to-end encryption, it would still allow tech companies to carry out widespread client-side scanning of private communications, effectively giving them “indiscriminate power” to monitor users’ messages.Instead, Momentum is advocating for a targeted approach that protects children without treating every citizen as a suspect.Among its proposals is an opt-in system allowing parents to enable safety features on their children’s devices. Under this model, scanning would only take place on accounts where parents have chosen to activate the protection, with clear on-screen indicators showing that monitoring is active.Momentum also argued that any scanning technology used for these protections should be open source, allowing cybersecurity and privacy experts to inspect the code and ensure it cannot be repurposed for broader surveillance.The party further insisted that, for users who have not opted into such protections, access to private communications should only be possible through judicial warrants, requiring law enforcement to demonstrate reasonable suspicion before any monitoring takes place.Momentum General Secretary Mark Camilleri Gambin said it would be hypocritical to distrust major technology companies while simultaneously granting them sweeping surveillance powers. He argued that transparency and judicial oversight must remain central whenever technology affects fundamental privacy rights.The party also criticised European Parliament President Roberta Metsola, expressing concern over the legislative process used to advance the proposal.Citing reports that the measure is being pushed through using an urgency procedure, Momentum said decisions affecting the privacy of European citizens should not be rushed.Wrapping up its statement, the party urged MEPs to reject what it described as indiscriminate scanning and instead adopt a framework based on targeted child protection measures, parental choice and judicial oversight, insisting that effective child safety should never come at the expense of fundamental rights.Should the EU prioritise privacy or stronger online protections for children?•