Tomorrow (Thursday) EU governments are to vote on a bill (officially called “child sexual abuse regulation” but known as “chat control”) that would require automated searches in and disclosure of private chats, including end-to-end encrypted chats, that might contain illegal photos or videos.
Further Reading:
https://www.patrick-breyer.de/en/council-to-greenlight-chat-control-take-action-now/
Does this affect any people interacting with anyone or servers/websites/etc outside the EU?
I’m not entirely sure but I think it might. I don’t see how big tech would voluntarily not scan the rest of their user base in the name of “protecting the children”. This is already done to some extent but the new law would amplify what is already being done.