EU: EC calls for contributions to study on illegal content

The European Commission (EC) has called on hosting service providers to contribute to a study launched to monitor how effectively illegal content is taken down online and to inform the need for further intervention. The call for contributions is part of a legal and technical study on the legal framework to intermediary liability implementing the E-Commerce Directive within the EU’s Member States. Users and organisations who notify the presence of illegal content on online platforms have also been asked to contribute.

The guideline, which also targets hate speech, the inciting of violence and terrorism and other threatening material, highlights the need for internet and social media firms to step up their social responsibility in the face of “the surge of illegal content online”, and details how they should proactively prevent, identify and remove the offending content in a more timely and efficient manner.

“The increasing availability and spreading of [illegal content] online is a serious threat to the security and safety of EU citizens. It also undermines citizens’ trust and confidence in the digital environment – a key engine of innovation, growth and jobs,” the EC said in a statement. “[These guidelines] will contribute to making the fight against illegal content more effective and will advance the ongoing work to build an effective and genuine EU Security Union and a stronger Digital Single Market.”

Full Content: Securing Industry

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