Tech Against Terrorism presents here the latest edition of the Online Regulation Series. This compendium navigates the complex online regulatory landscape requiring tech platforms to prevent the dissemination of illegal and harmful content on their services.
By monitoring over 100 pieces of legislation from 30 jurisdictions around the world, we have tracked the evolution of legislation impacting online content and how it affects service provider efforts to counter terrorism and violent extremism.
The Online Regulation Series 3.0 Handbook is not only a crucial resource for tech platforms but also invaluable for policymakers and counterterrorism experts attempting to make sense of the fast-changing legal landscape.
In compiling the Online Regulation Series 3.0, we have sought to answer the following questions:
In the 2023 edition of the Online Regulation Series, we raise concerns about the latest trends in online regulations and outline key recommendations for the policymakers who design the rules.
Recommendations include:
Jurisdictions under consideration include Australia, Austria, European Union, India, Kyrgyzstan, New Zealand, Singapore, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom and the United States.
Background
In 2017, Germany ushered in a new era in online regulation when it passed the Network Enforcement Act (NetzDg) and became one of the first countries to require platforms to prevent the spread of illegal and harmful content online, introducing a 1-hour removal deadline for terrorist content.
Since then, there has been a raft of similar legislation and regulations enacted around the world. Beginning in 2021, the Online Regulation Series has attempted to make sense of the emerging and often fragmented regulatory landscape, assessing whether each regulation reviewed meet its stated aim of countering illegal online content and terrorist use of the internet, as well as any present risks to human rights and tech sector diversity. We also commend legislation passed with regard for the rule of law and due process, and which provides the necessary human rights safeguards.
Policymakers’ increased interest in regulating online content has led to a complex and multifaceted landscape of laws requiring platforms to prevent the dissemination of illegal and harmful content on their services. In 2017, Germany passed the Network Enforcement Act (NetzDg) and became one of the first countries to require platforms to prevent the spread of illegal and harmful content online, introducing a 1-hour removal deadline for terrorist content. This marked a turning point in online regulation, which was followed by a global wave of regulatory discussions around content governance and the removal of illegal or harmful content.