Other areas of harmful content: enforcement by restrictions. The example of the UK

Digital platforms have become central spaces for democratic debate, cultural exchange and access to information. At the same time, the features that make digital platforms powerful tools for expression can create unique risks due to their market power, their reach, and the lack of editorial control. This clearly raises urgent questions about platform content, enforcement, fundamental rights and the responsibilities of online intermediaries. This new report - Enforcing rules on illegal content and disinformation online - published by the European Audiovisual Observatory (part of the Council of Europe in Strasbourg), offers a comprehensive and timely analysis of how European legal frameworks are responding to these challenges.

Produced in collaboration with the Institute of European Media Law (EMR) and authored by twelve leading experts, the report examines how legislation targeting disinformation, illegal and harmful online content can be enforced at European and national level, and how lawmakers and regulators seek to strike a balance between freedom of expression, on the one hand, and the protection of democratic values on the other.

Chapter Six addresses other forms of harmful content, with a particular focus on the protection of minors. The case study from Poland (by Krzysztof Wojciechowski) explores the latest developments regarding the alignment to EU legislation and the case study from the United Kingdom (by Mariette Jones) delves into tools such as access restrictions, age-verification measures and the implications of the UK Online Safety Act for platform responsibilities and child protection.