MEP Alex Agius Saliba To Lead EU Talks On Regulation To Combat Child Sexual Abuse

lex Agius Saliba MEP has been appointed lead negotiator for the Socialists and Democrats (S&D) Group in the upcoming EU trialogue discussions on new legislation aimed at preventing child sexual abuse online and protecting children in the digital space.

As rapporteur in the European Parliament’s Internal Market and Consumer Protection (IMCO) Committee, Agius Saliba previously helped shape the Parliament’s position on the European Commission’s proposed regulation. That draft, approved ahead of the 2024 elections, strikes a balance between enhancing child protection and safeguarding users’ privacy ensuring secure, end-to-end encrypted communications while strengthening the fight against grooming and the spread of abuse material.

Speaking about his role, Agius Saliba said, “We have a duty to protect our children from online dangers and prevent the production and circulation of child sexual abuse material. At the same time, we must respect users’ privacy. Weakening end-to-end encryption would pose serious cybersecurity risks for everyone.”

He added that negotiating such a vital but challenging piece of legislation is a significant responsibility, and he is committed to achieving strong, balanced outcomes “I’m honoured by the S&D Group’s trust in me to help deliver a result that makes the EU a safer place for children.”

#MaltaDaily