France introduces time limits for deleting illegal content

Critics argue that the new law could be used to stifle free speech

Content subject to legal enforcement in France will need to be removed within 24 hours of notification, reports Ars Technica, including any content that promotes discrimination, hate or violence. Content related to child pornography or terrorism will need to be removed within an hour. Failure to meet the time limits can result in fines ranging from 1.25 Million Euros to 4 per cent of a company’s annual global revenue – raising the prospect of billions of euros in fines for some of the major platforms. An organisation that promotes digital privacy rights is quoted as saying that the law offers a tool to ‘censor the internet for political ends’. Read more