>When lawmakers start actively going against the interests of society at large[...]

But how does banning subsequent attempts at passing bills prevent this? Moreover what's preventing this mechanism from being abused to block legislation that society actually want?

I am not sure because this assumes a very well informed and educated population.

Think about this one, start a populist stupid referendum like: "Should the gov give you $10M?", I could bet it will end up at 90% yes and the entire country ends up in ruins. So democracy is good but you need some sort of trust in the middle. With this backward law, the trust is eroding.

The problem here is that many who are in favour of Chat Control (and of its predecessors) really do honestly think they're doing something for the benefit of society.

Focusing on these supposedly well-meaning individuals - I'm going to assume they somehow never consumed any dystopian fiction as a child, the purpose of which was to inoculate a generation against totalitarianism. They don't understand the overreach they are committing to. They think that, because they're a Good Person and wouldn't abuse it, nobody else will, and the massive security loophole created by this effort will not have any downsides. They'll just be able to stop all the baddies!

Meanwhile, those of us who live in reality know that:

* smart criminals will just use unlicensed technologies to get around this, trivially

* dumb criminals will figure out how to use code words for plausible deniability / bayesian "hide in plain sight"

* political dissidents who are exercising free speech will become more vulnerable than ever

And, of course, that's all if the government was only populated by good people who don't intend to abuse this! I have no reason to believe that; does anyone? Is there anyone who so truly loves their government in 2025 that they want them reading all their messages (even moreso than now)?

Can't wait to go to jail for texting a meme to the group chat.

That's the benefit and frustration of the democratic or representative democratic process.

Balance access to governance with fairness, and accept that you will never always get your way.

Similar to this, indeed some kind of fair and predictable cooling off period for a piece of legislation ensures the governing body isn't frozen in one influential faction's obsessions, while also allowing the voice of the people that faction represents to still be heard.

But exponential backoff feels too open to be gamed by countervailing factions. Some small period of time within a session however could make sense.

> When lawmakers start actively going against

The bill is being pushed and reintroduced by elected representatives from each country, both in the council as well as EP.

People electing populist elements and then being surprised pikachu at the suboptimal policies.