Commission publishes recommendation on tackling illegal content online

Further information:

This work should be conducted before determining the need for additional legislation. The recommendations apply to all forms of illegal content ranging from terrorist content, incitement to hatred and violence, child sexual abuse material, counterfeit products and copyright infringement.

Background information:

These operational measures were published in the context of a Communication issued in September 2017 on tackling illegal content online, in which the Commission vowed to monitor progress and assess whether additional measures were needed to ensure the effective detection and removal of such content.

The European Commission published on 1 March 2018 a set of operational measures - accompanied by the necessary safeguards - to be taken by companies and Member States to step up the detection and removal of illegal content online.

• Primary Source

European Commission: C(2018) 1177: Commission Recommendation on measures to effectively tackle illegal content online https://ec.europa.eu/digital-single-market/en/news/commission-recommendation-measures-effectively-tackle-illegal-content-online

European Commission: Commission Recommendation on measures to effectively tackle illegal content online [Q&A] http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_MEMO-18-1170_en.htm

PC Mag, 02.03.18: EU Tells Internet Firms to Delete Terrorist Content Within One Hour https://www.pcmag.com/news/359639/eu-tells-internet-firms-to-delete-terrorist-content-within-o

The Independent, 02.03.18: Internet giants given one hour deadline to take down terrorist propaganda http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/gadgets-and-tech/news/european-commission-one-hour-deadline-remove-terror-child-sex-videos-illegal-products-content-google-a8236346.html

Irish Times, 02.03.18: EU wants internet giants to remove extremist content in an hour https://www.irishtimes.com/business/technology/eu-wants-internet-giants-to-remove-extremist-content-in-an-hour-1.3412828

The Guardian, 01.03.18: EU gives Facebook and Google three months to tackle extremist content https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2018/mar/01/eu-facebook-google-youtube-twitter-extremist-content

EurActiv, 01.03.18: Commission faces backlash for plan to fast-track tech platforms’ removal of illegal posts https://www.euractiv.com/section/digital/news/commission-faces-backlash-for-plan-to-fast-track-tech-platforms-removal-of-illegal-posts/

EUObserver, 01.03.18: EU gives online platforms legal tool to justify takedowns https://euobserver.com/justice/141165

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