Debate: Fighting disinformation and dissemination of illegal content in the context of the Digital Services Act and in times of conflict
Date: WEDNESDAY, 18 OCTOBER 2023
Speaker: Věra Jourová
Language: EN

We need to secure our information space; this is of utmost urgency. We simply cannot accept what we currently see: online platforms becoming a tool for terrorists, a tool for spreading anti-Semitic and violent illegal content. The information space must be safe for the people of Europe. Incitement to terror, illegal hate speech, praising of the killings, disinformation can trigger violence in real life. But we are not defenceless. On the contrary, EU is the most advanced region in the world in tackling these threats. Together with Thierry, I would like to outline EU legislations and initiatives that are in place to tackle these problems and related risks. First, we have a regulation on tackling terrorist content online. It obliges platforms to actively seek and take down terrorist content, and if content is flagged, the platforms must take down terrorist content within one hour. If platforms do not cooperate, they can be fined up to 4% of their annual turnover.  We have seen recently, also after the tragic terrorist attack in Belgium, that more work is needed to make this law effective. Together with Vice-President Schinas and Commissioner Johansson, we are talking to the Member States, Europol and Interpol to improve notice mechanisms. I am also in contact with the platforms on this issue. Then we have the Digital Services Act, which is the main focus of the debate today. 19 very large online platforms and search engines were designated earlier this year under the Digital Services Act. There are clear obligations under this law on tackling illegal hate speech, and also on mitigating the risks stemming from disinformation. Since the end of August, the Commission has been overseeing the compliance of these services with all the SA obligations. We have required these platforms to provide us with their risk assessment reports, which the Commission services have examined with the utmost attention. At the same time, we have stepped up our monitoring role to ensure that each platform complies diligently with its obligations under the Digital Services Act. As you know, the success of any law lies in its implementation. That is why we are acting with the strongest determination. As my colleague Thierry will explain, the DSA works hand in hand with our Anti-disinformation Code. The Code is a more agile tool, allowing us quickly react to risks and crises in cooperation with civil society and the platforms. We are using this unique structure to quickly take necessary steps and improve the situation. In this context, I am also talking to main online platforms. I am also working with the independent European Digital Media Observatory to facilitate on the working-level work with expert community and platforms. Finally, we have to pay attention to the rise of anti-Semitism, both offline and online. Primary, this is about security of our Jewish communities, but also this protection has to be extended to online world. Preliminary analysis by experts point to the dramatic rise of anti-Semitic content on online platforms. X, former Twitter, seems to be particularly bad at tackling this challenge, but other platforms also must step up their work. Honourable Members, we are working as a team to ensure that legislations are effective and enforced. We are using our unique structures to tackle the rise of online hate, violence and illegal content. There is no silver bullet. There is no one tool to tackle all the problems also, because freedom of speech must, is and will be protected online and offline. Our information space cannot, and will not, be abused by bad actors or by terrorists to justify and promote their actions.