The EU announced that network data hosting service providers must now remove terrorism related content from their platforms within one hour marked by EU national authorities. The EU stated that if the supplier did not comply with the order, it would be up to its member states to determine the penalties, but these penalties must be commensurate with the seriousness of the content.
Access:
In addition to the "one hour rule", these measures also require suppliers to remove terrorist content when they are otherwise exposed to it. For those who are worried about the excessive expansion of Member States' discretion, any deletion request must contain the reasons for deletion and details of how the provider challenges the deletion order. The rules are also intended to protect freedom of expression and the right to know. Materials containing relevant information shared for educational, journalistic, artistic or research purposes may be exempted.
Another requirement introduced by the rules is that online platforms and national authorities need to issue annual reports on how much terrorist content has been deleted, list the results of complaints and appeals, and the number and types of penalties imposed on platforms that do not comply with the rules.
The EU has been holding seminars for Member States and suppliers to help them prepare for the rules that will enter into force on June 7. Europol has also created a platform for Member States to submit content clearance orders to suppliers in a secure manner.