Brussels, November 19, 2019 — The Developers Alliance has announced its signing of a joint industry letter organized by the Confederation Of Industry Of The Czech Republic addressing the Proposal For A Regulation On Preventing The Dissemination Of Terrorist Content Online. The letter has been signed by twenty-one organizations, including the Developers Alliance, representing the European technology industry.
The letter was sent to the European Parliament, the EU Council, and the European Commission. It advocates for the bodies to consider the industry’s major concerns, some of which are addressed by amendments proposed by the European Parliament. Topics include proactive measures, the regulation’s scope, realistic compliance, and application.
Karina Stan, Director of EU Policy and Head of Brussels Office, added “The developer community supports fighting the online dissemination of terrorist content by a fit-for-purpose regulation. This regulation shouldn’t overburden European companies while preserving freedom of expression. Certain obligations, like taking proactive measures or complying with removal orders within 1 hour are not only disproportionate but will force the hosting service providers to use automated tools. The co-legislators should consider the unintended effects of such obligations, especially on fundamental rights of European citizens, and should carefully assess if these will ensure that the regulation will achieve its objectives.”
“The implication that the hundreds of EU platform owners somehow don’t take harmful content seriously is simply false,” said Bruce Gustafson, CEO of the Developers Alliance. “Platforms are harmed themselves when people abuse the social spaces they create. Platforms need policymakers to collaborate in jointly addressing a societal issue that has migrated online. Arbitrary obligations are a poor substitute for collective energy.”
