The European Commission has accused Ireland of failing to comply with its obligations under new rules aimed at stopping the spread of terrorist content online.
The Commission found that Ireland, Estonia, Luxembourg, Poland and Portugal had not complied with one or more of their obligations under the Distribution of Terrorist Content Online Regulations (TCO Regulations). It was decided to submit an opinion.
The regulation sets out rules to ensure that hosting service providers address the misuse of their services to spread terrorist content online.
The regulation will come into effect on June 7, 2022, and provides penalties for violations.
The regulations also include safeguards to protect fundamental rights.
Hosting service providers must remove terrorist content within one hour of receiving a takedown order from the authorities of a member state and must take action if their platform is exposed to terrorist content.
The commission said Ireland, Estonia, Luxembourg, Poland and Portugal had not complied with their obligations, including the obligation to designate authorities responsible for issuing eviction orders and to notify those authorities. Designate public contact points and establish rules and measures regarding penalties for non-compliance with legal obligations.
“The Commission has decided to issue a reasoned opinion to these member states, who will now have two months to respond and take the necessary measures,” the commission said in a statement. ” he said.
“If not, the Commission may decide to refer the case to the Court of Justice of the European Union,” it added.
The Ministry of Justice has confirmed that Mr An Garda Síochána has been designated as the competent Irish authority to issue removal orders and that Mr Coimiciun na Mearn has been designated as the competent Irish authority to oversee certain remedial actions under EU rules. Announced.
“The government has previously approved the designation of Koimisiun na Méan as the competent authority to impose penalties, and this designation will take place once the basic legislation enabling the CnaM to take on this role is passed.” a spokesperson said.
A competent authority to scrutinize cross-border removal orders must also be designated.
The Ministry of Justice said, “This matter is under active consideration within the Ministry, including consideration and communication with counterpart agencies in other member states.”