The regulator today published a decision in respect of the three hosting service providers under the EU Terrorist Content Online Regulation.

The Terrorist Content Online Regulation, which forms one part of Coimisiún na Meán’s online safety framework, provides an EU-wide mechanism for counteracting the dissemination of terrorist content online and enabling the speedy removal of terrorist content by hosting service providers. 

Hosting service providers which receive two or more final removal orders from EU competent authorities within the last 12 months may be determined as being exposed to terrorist content.

An Coimisiún said it reached its decision following the notification of two or more final removal orders in respect of these three providers and following engagement with these providers.

Following this decision, TikTok, X and Meta (in respect of Instagram) will be obliged to take specific measures to protect their services from being used for the dissemination of terrorist content, and to report to Coimisiún na Meán on the specific measures taken within three months from the receipt of the decision.

These measures “shall be effective, targeted and proportionate and respectful of the fundamental rights of users”, it said.

Among the measures a hosting service provider exposed to terrorist content is required to take is the inclusion in its terms and conditions of provisions to address the misuse of its service for the dissemination to the public of terrorist content. 

Coimisiún na Meán will supervise and assess the mitigation actions taken by the providers. Where An Coimisiún considers that the specific measures taken do not comply with legislative requirements, An Coimisiún will address a decision to the hosting service provider requiring it to take the necessary measures so as to ensure that legislative provisions are complied with.

Infringement by hosting service providers of the Terrorist Content Online Regulation can lead to the imposition of administrative fines, including financial penalties of up to four per cent of global turnover.

Coimisiún na Meán’s online safety framework consists of the Terrorist Content Online Regulation, the Digital Services Act and the Online Safety and Media Regulation Act — the basis for its Online Safety Code.

An Coimisiún advises users of online services who see suspected terrorist content to report that content to the platform where they have seen it, and to report any content which could be a threat to life to An Garda Síochána.