New EU privacy laws could see BigTech companies banned from using automatic detection tools used to find child abuse images and grooming.

Many believe these detection methods breach the privacy of people using messaging apps.

But critics of the privacy reform, which is expected to come into force next week, say the rules could stop police and child protection agencies from uncovering millions of child abuse cases across the EU and the globe, Reuters reported last month.

But there have been ongoing EU discussions about an exemption for BigTech firms.

Today EU leaders are expected to gather in Brussels to identify how to create an exemption for larger technology companies like Facebook, Microsoft, and Google, according to the BBC.

If they cannot come to an agreement, it seems likely that BigTech firms will be banned from using the protective measures across their digital messaging offering.

The privacy rules are not the only EU crack down on digital business; yesterday the European Commission revealed plans for legislation that could see BigTech companies face fines of up to 10 per cent of turnover if not complied with.

The EU said that under the new plans, companies that recurringly break the rules will be obliged to take structural measures, potentially leading to divestiture of certain businesses where no alternative measure is available to ensure compliance.

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