Social networks must delete terrorist posts within an HOUR or face tough new laws, EU bosses warn
The European Commission today released new guidelines on how web firms should handle extremist content
SOCIAL networks must take down terrorist propaganda within an hour of it being posted online, EU regulators warned today.
Firms such as Facebook and Twitter were told to do more to stop the spread of extremist rhetoric across the web amid fears they’re helping jihadists drum up support.
Currently they usually take up to 24 hours to review dubious posts which are flagged up by users or automated systems.
But if they don’t sharpen up their act they could face tough new laws limiting their freedom to operate in Europe, the European Commission said.
Under British and European laws, social media firms are not legally responsible for the content they host.
But they are under increasing pressure to stop terrorists including ISIS cells from using their products to spread their hate-filled ideology.
Eurocrats said today: “Terrorist content online poses a particularly grave risk to the security of Europeans, and its proliferation must be treated as a matter of the utmost urgency.
“This is why the commission is today additionally recommending more specific provisions to further curb terrorist content online.
“Considering that terrorist content is most harmful in the first hours of its appearance online, all companies should remove such content within one hour from its referral as a general rule.”
They also called on companies to use artificial intelligence to detect extremist posts, and said large firms must share their tech with smaller ones to ensure terrorists can’t just switch to more obscure platforms to escape detection.
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If the web giants haven’t made progress by the end of May, the EU will consider whether to introduce new laws to force their hand.
Facebook, Twitter and Google currently aim to review and if necessary remove controversial content within 24 hours.
A spokesman for Facebook said today: “We continue to work hard to remove hate speech and terrorist content while making sure that Facebook remains a platform for all ideas.”