TECHNOLOGY – Wesing welcomes EU agreement on stricter rules for the internet economy

Big Internet company logos Photo: Agence France-Presse

Federal Digital Minister Volker Wessing (FDP) has welcomed the European Union’s agreement on stricter rules for internet companies. On Saturday, Wessing said the agreement was a “milestone for the citizens of Europe”.

Federal Digital Minister Volker Wessing (FDP) has welcomed the European Union’s agreement on stricter rules for internet companies. On Saturday, Wesing said the agreement is a “milestone for the citizens of Europe”. The Digital Services Act creates “more security in the digital space,” enhances user rights and sets “clear international standards for regulating online platforms.”

Negotiators from the European Parliament, member states and the European Union Commission agreed the reform overnight. Among other things, online platforms are obligated to take stronger and faster action against hate, fake news and other illegal content on the Internet. Therefore, illegal content should be removed within 24 hours if possible. Violations can be punished with penalties of up to six percent of the annual turnover.

In Germany, the Law Enforcement on Networks Act (NetzDG) ​​regulates the deletion duty more stringently: it requires platform providers to remove “obvious” criminal content within 24 hours of receiving a complaint.

Wesing emphasized that his department was able to “improve some very important points” during the negotiations. In this way, “children and young people in particular will be better protected.” The negotiators’ agreement must now be formally determined once again by the European Parliament and the Council of Member States.

Then member states have 15 months to implement it. According to the Digital Ministry, a law on digital services should be drawn up in Germany, through which existing regulations will be “widely reviewed”. According to the coalition agreement, this also includes NetzDG.

In addition, according to the EU agreement, Germany must appoint a coordinator for digital services. The ministry explained that this independent body is “responsible for ensuring and enforcing the requirements” of the EU reform, and is in constant contact with the EU Commission, national authorities and the EU and the addressees of the requirements.

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