I can't believe how infrequently this point comes up, given how fundamental a flaw to the whole scheme this point out. So long as you're allowed to have a computer and run code on it, you can run programs that do your bidding. ChatControl cannot be effective, at least I can't imagine for longer than a few months until the first 2% of CSAM handlers are caught who didn't get the memo and spread the word to the remaining 8% who didn't get the memo, until we outlaw computers

It's mind-bending levels of absurdity. Surely nobody intends to (be able to) truly outlaw computers? That cat is out of the bag and people will build them or get their hands on them if they wish

The only possible outcome is that only honest citizens have their chats scanned and devices locked down. The latter has as side effect that Google, Apple, and Microsoft can do whatever the heck they want because open OSes are illegal now

You're welcome to run any algorithm you want with paper and pencil, but you might not be able to run them on your devices that are allowed to talk to cellular networks.

Communications that look encrypted can also be straightforwardly flagged and logged for a closer look, perhaps keeping a closer watch on any cleartext messages, metadata that invariably leaks, etc