Italy’s communication watchdog, AGCOM, has approved new regulations that allow it to require online video-sharing services to take down “harmful content” in order to safeguard the country’s youth and customers.
The agency said the new regulations could have an impact on services like Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube by Google when they go into force on January 8, 2024.
According to AGCOM’s announcement, they will target videos that promote hate on the basis of race, sexual orientation, religion, or ethnicity and that do not sufficiently protect viewers from being harmed by them.
the authority will also be able to target video platforms located in other EU member states under the new legislation after notifying the appropriate national authorities.
Italy’s action comes after the EU approved the Digital Services Act, enacted in October 2023, which mandates that Big Tech increase their efforts to combat illicit and harmful online content, particularly if it targets minors.
