The Union is urging the SPD to allow an extension of the so‑called “voluntary chat surveillance” so that private communications can be monitored at the EU level. “From April, child protection will go to waste” warned the Union’s internal‑politics spokesman Alexander Throm in an interview with the “Tagesspiegel” (Tuesday edition). “The Social Democrats caused this by their ideologically driven blockade at the EU level”.
In Throm’s view, this would lead to a sharp decline in tips to law‑enforcement authorities. Perpetrators of the most serious crimes against children could again hide behind a misinterpreted right to privacy. “This policy puts offender protection over child protection” he said.
Throm further demanded that Birgit Sippel-spokeswoman for the Social Democratic group in the European Parliament and the relevant rapporteur-immediately clear the way for such a solution. “I call on Justice Minister Hubig to finally bring her party colleague in Europe to reason” he added.