Ministry of the Interior prepares legislation to comply with EU Regulation on addressing dissemination of terrorist content online

On 19 November 2021, the Ministry of the Interior set up a project to prepare a proposal for legislation to address the dissemination of terrorist content online. The aim of the project is to make the national legislation comply with the EU Regulation.

The EU Regulation aims to improve detection and removal of online content that incites to terrorist acts. The Regulation obliges internet service providers to actively protect their services against dissemination of terrorist content. An internet service provider means, for example social media platforms such as Facebook and Twitter, but also smaller service providers.

With the EU Regulation, which will apply from June 2022, each Member State must designate the authority or authorities competent to issue orders on the removal of terrorist content online, scrutinise removal orders, oversee the implementation of specific measures and impose penalties.

According to the EU Regulation, these authorities have the power to oblige internet service providers to remove terrorist content or disable access to terrorist content in their services. The Regulation applies to service providers disseminating information to the public and operating in the EU, regardless of their main establishment. 

The project will run until 30 September 2022. The provisions are scheduled to enter into force on 7 June 2022 when the application of the EU Regulation begins.

Inquiries:
Elina Rantakokko, Chief Specialist, tel. +358 295 488 611, elina.rantakokko@govsec.fi