After two years of discussions, MEPs and member countries of the European Union have taken a new step in the fight against terrorism.
A new regulation, after adoption, made it possible to require platforms to remove terrorist content within one hour.
An important step in the fight against terrorism at European level.
MEPs and representatives of European Union member states agreed on Thursday on a compromise that paves the way for the adoption of a future regulation, while heads of state discuss the fight on Friday anti-terrorism.
The Europeans will force the withdrawal of platforms for photos, videos or online messages of a terrorist nature, in one hour at most.
Two years of negotiations
It took two years of discussion between the countries of the Union to get there, but the recent attacks in France, the assassination of Samuel Paty and the faithful in Nice, or the attacks in Vienna, Austria, had because of the last hesitations.
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Once this European text has entered into force - it has yet to be adopted by the European Parliament and the Council, an institution representing the Member States - internet platforms such as Twitter or YouTube will therefore have one hour to remove content flagged as terrorist.
A crucial deadline because in a few hours, a message can be seen millions of times.
Power to act beyond borders
Main novelty of the text: a country will be able to intervene beyond its own borders.
Many internet and social media platforms have their European headquarters in Ireland or Malta, but if France wants to remove a photo, video or call to murder posted on them, it can make a report and the platforms will have to comply. under penalty of fines.
Clément Beaune, Secretary of State for European Affairs, evokes a "major step forward", while European Commissioner Yla Johansson recalls for her part that the videos posted by terrorists are recruitment tools.
Thus, blocking propaganda is essential to fight radicalization.