Online terrorist content should be removed within 1 hour: EP

Internet companies should remove terrorist content within one hour after receiving an order from the authorities, to combat radicalization and contribute to public security, according to a proposal approved in the European Parliament on Wednesday.

Once an Internet company hosting content uploaded by users (like Facebook or YouTube) that offers their services in the European Union has received a removal order from the competent national authority, they will have one hour to remove it or disable access to it in all EU member states, according to the proposal.

But the Internet platforms will not be generally obliged to monitor the information they transmit or store, nor have to actively seek facts indicating illegal activity, according to the proposal.

The proposal is passed with 308 votes in favor to 204 against and 70 abstentions.

But Wednesday's vote does not mean it is now the law of the EU. The new European Parliament, after elections in May, will negotiate with the Council of the European Union on the final form of the law's text.