The European Union's proposed "Chat Control" law, which mandates the screening of encrypted messages to combat child sexual abuse, is set for a critical vote, with Germany's stance potentially determining its fate. The law, introduced by Denmark, requires messaging services like WhatsApp and Signal to allow message screening before encryption. While 15 EU member states support the bill, they lack the 65% population threshold needed for a qualified majority, making Germany's decision pivotal. Germany's 83 million citizens could tip the balance, as the country remains undecided alongside Estonia, Greece, Luxembourg, Romania, and Slovenia. Opposition within Germany is strong, with many MEPs and civil rights groups voicing concerns over privacy and the potential for increased surveillance. Critics argue that the law could weaken encryption and lead to false positives, straining law enforcement resources. The EU Council is expected to finalize positions before a vote on October 14.