EU to Internet Companies: You Have Three Months to Get Rid of Extremist Content

The European Union has given internet companies including YouTube, Facebook, Twitter, and Google three months to start taking steps to remove extremist content.

The European Commission advised companies that removing "terrorist content" like hate speech and Islamic State propaganda should be prioritized, according to a report from Reuters. They also set guidelines for curbing other illegal content, including the unauthorized sharing of copyrighted material — but companies have six months, not three, to address those concerns.

“While several platforms have been removing more illegal content than ever before ... we still need to react faster against terrorist propaganda and other illegal content which is a serious threat to our citizens’ security, safety and fundamental rights,” said Digital commissioner Andrus Ansip in a press release.

The Commission also stated that internet companies needed to be prepared to take down extremist content within an hour of being notified. It recommended companies are implement automated systems that flag and remove illegal content as soon as it is posted.

While these recommendations are non-binding, they could factor into future legislation. If there isn't sufficient evidence after three months that internet companies are curbing recommended content, the European Commission may pass continent-wide laws that would compel companies to pursue similar action.

Germany already introduced a law to curb the use of social media to publish hate speech in October 2017. Sites and services that don't get rid of the content within 24 hours (or seven days for more complex cases) are subject to fines of up to €50 million by German authorities, according to a report from Tech Crunch.

European Union legislation could follow a similar format.

 

Both Germany and the European Union's guidelines are efforts to minimize the flood of easily accessible extremist content on the internet. According to the Guardian, European governments have said that this type of content has inspired radical individuals who have executed terrorist attacks in various European cities.

If the EU can successfully curb terrorist content on the internet, it could play a role in preventing tragedies like the Paris attacks in November 2015, or the 2016 attack on a Christmas market in Berlin.