Regulationsby GlyphEU CSAM Interim Regulation
In force European Union · In force Jul 31, 2026 · next deadline Feb 1, 2028 (in 15 months)
Deadlines
Coming up
Commission implementation reportCommission report on implementation, including proportionality and error rates (Article 9).
Interim derogation expiresThe Regulation applies until this date.
Already passed
New interim regulation enters into forcePublished in the OJ on 2026-07-28; enters into force on the third day.
Previous interim regulation expiresRegulation (EU) 2021/1232, as extended by Regulation (EU) 2024/1307, applied until this date.
Summaries for reference, not legal advice. Check the official text.
What it does
Lets providers of number-independent interpersonal communications services, such as messaging and email, voluntarily scan for and report online child sexual abuse despite ePrivacy confidentiality rules, under strict conditions. It replaces Regulation (EU) 2021/1232, which expired on 2026-04-03. The permanent CSA Regulation proposed in 2022 is still not adopted.
- Who it applies to
- Providers of number-independent interpersonal communications services that voluntarily detect, remove and report child sexual abuse material.
- Penalties
- No specific fines; processing outside its conditions falls back under the ePrivacy Directive and GDPR.
- Enforced by
- National data protection authorities; Commission reporting.
- Official name
- Regulation (EU) 2026/1881 on a temporary derogation from certain provisions of Directive 2002/58/EC for combating online child sexual abuse
- Citation
- Regulation (EU) 2026/1881 (successor to Regulation (EU) 2021/1232)
- Topics
- Privacy, Children, Online safety
Research notes
There was a gap with no legal basis for voluntary scanning between 2026-04-03 and 2026-07-31. The proposed permanent Regulation laying down rules to prevent and combat child sexual abuse (COM(2022) 209) remained in negotiation as of 2026-09-25.
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Questions about EU CSAM Interim Regulation
- What are the EU CSAM Interim Regulation compliance deadlines?
- Apr 3, 2026: Previous interim regulation expires. Jul 31, 2026: New interim regulation enters into force. Feb 1, 2028: Commission implementation report. Apr 3, 2028: Interim derogation expires.
- When does EU CSAM Interim Regulation take effect?
- EU CSAM Interim Regulation took effect on Jul 31, 2026. The next milestone is Feb 1, 2028: Commission implementation report.
- Who does EU CSAM Interim Regulation apply to?
- Providers of number-independent interpersonal communications services that voluntarily detect, remove and report child sexual abuse material.
- What are the penalties under EU CSAM Interim Regulation?
- No specific fines; processing outside its conditions falls back under the ePrivacy Directive and GDPR.