Description
Addressing terrorist content online is an important element in combating terrorism and radicalisation. Ordering removal or blocking of content, referring content to service providers for scrutiny, or applying measures to prevent uploading of certain content all have implications for fundamental rights and require strong safeguards. In 2021, the EU adopted Regulation (EU) 2021/784 on addressing the dissemination of terrorist content online (‘Regulation’).
The Regulation gives national competent authorities the possibility to issue removal orders obliging internet companies (‘hosting service providers’) to remove or block access to content that national competent authorities consider meeting the definition of online terrorist content. National competent authorities can also order those hosting service providers who are considered exposed to terrorist content, to adopt specific measures to prevent the dissemination of such content on their platforms. Non-compliance with these and other obligations under the Regulation can lead to penalties. The Regulation also contains a set of safeguards, including the right for hosting service providers and users (‘content providers’) to challenge removal orders and other decisions before the courts of the Member State whose national competent authority issued the decision in question.
According to Article 23 of the Regulation, the European Commission shall carry out an evaluation of the Regulation, including the impact of its application on fundamental rights. This report presents that evaluation.
