ALLIES

Explore how Hosting Service Providers (HSPs) navigate compliance challenges under the Terrorist Content Online (TCO) Regulation. Discover their use of AI tools and cybersecurity strategies to combat online extremism, ensuring a safer digital landscape.

TCO Regulation & the role of Host Service Providers (HSPs)

The European Commission conducted extensive consultations as part of impact assessment SWD (2018) 409 to gauge stakeholders’ perspectives on TCO. Findings reveal that Hosting Service Providers (HSPs) are significantly affected by the dissemination of TCO, impacting their reputation, user relationships, and support networks, including payment processors. As TCO continues to evolve as a pressing threat, particularly affecting micro, medium, and small enterprises, the role and responsibilities of HSPs in identifying, detecting, and removing TCO are crucial questions.

The Commission has implemented various measures to address TCO, including the EU Internet Forum, Radicalisation Awareness Network, and European Strategic Communications Network. However, recognizing the limitations of referrals alone, the Commission proposed the TCO Regulation. This regulation aims to transform co-regulation and voluntary policing by HSPs into a framework of obligations, including swift response times and proactive measures, supported by enforceable sanctions.

As highlighted by the EU-funded project ALLIES, the one-hour removal timeframe prescribed by the TCO Regulation necessitates rapid adaptation and implementation of measures by HSPs. Compliance with Article 5, paragraph 4 of the Regulation presents a complex challenge, balancing the avoidance of fines with legal principles. The introduction of AI tools offers practical support for HSPs in identifying and removing terrorist content online, particularly crucial for smaller HSPs with limited resources.

Despite these efforts, concerns have been raised by human rights organizations and the European Data Protection Supervisor regarding potential impacts on freedom of expression, information rights, privacy, and rule of law. These concerns underscore the need for robust safeguards and oversight mechanisms in the implementation of the TCO Regulation.

Navigating Regulatory Challenges: The Role of AI in Enhancing Compliance

As Hosting Service Providers (HSPs) grapple with the stringent requirements of the Terrorist Content Online (TCO) Regulation, the integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) emerges as a pivotal strategy. This chapter explores how AI technologies can empower HSPs, particularly micro and small enterprises, to effectively identify, mitigate, and swiftly remove terrorist content from their platforms. The implementation of AI tools not only promises to streamline compliance processes but also addresses the operational and resource constraints faced by smaller HSPs. However, amidst these technological advancements, the chapter also examines the ethical and legal considerations inherent in deploying AI for content moderation, emphasizing the need for balanced approaches that uphold both regulatory mandates and fundamental rights.

References

Bianchi, S,. Mancuso, M., Paternoster, C., Kalpakis, G., Tsikrika, T., Vrochidis, S., Kozhuharova, D., Jaeger, B.,  Artificial Intelligence to Counter Cyber-Terrorism Artificial Intelligence to Counter Cyber-Terrorism International Conference on Cybersecurity and Cybercrime · May 30, 2023. Available at: https://www.alliesproject.com/news/paper_ai-to-counter-cyber-terrorism.pdf

Links

https://www.alliesproject.com/news/paper_ai-to-counter-cyber-terrorism.pdf

https://www.alliesproject.com/news/

Keywords

ALLIES, Artificial Intelligence, Counter-Terrorism, Host Service Providers Radicalisation, Terrorist Content Online, EU-funded Project