DOT Europe, which used to be called the European Digital Media Association (EDiMA) and which calls itself “the voice of the leading internet companies”, has called for illegal content and harmful content to be distinguished in the Digital Services Act.

In the latest paper in its Online Responsibility Framework Series, the association of 19 leading internet companies recommends focusing on illegal content in the Digital Services Act and highlights the risks of attempting to tackle harmful-but-lawful content through the same legal instrument.

Siada El Ramly, Director General of DOT Europe, said: “We fully believe that the DSA can be a game changer in improving online content moderation in the EU. To make this a reality, we believe it should focus on illegal content, where some legal definitions exist to trigger action. Harmful content is much more complex and requires greater definition and nuance.”

DOT Europe’s paper states that focusing on the removal of harmful content could have “severe impacts” on the freedom of expression. The paper assesses the risks of attempting to tackle harmful, but lawful, content through the same legal instrument. To read DOT Europe’s press release in full and for a link to the paper, click here.