Responsibility for the oversight and management of malicious content on the internet is to be wielded by electronic services providers and if they fail to meet their obligations, penalties might be extended to them, according to a bill aimed at preventing the dissemination of illicit content, sponsored by the Ministry of Investments, Regional Development and Informatisation (MIRRI).
"Malicious and dangerous content is being disseminated mostly on social networks and platforms, the owners of which earn millions of euros off them, yet haven't been capable and willing to implement such measures so as to efficiently prevent the dissemination of disinformation or enemy propaganda," declared investment minister Veronika Remisova (For the People).
Enemy propaganda is "systematically polarising society, destabilising it and might even ultimately put the lives of the people and security of our country in danger". All providers of electronic services available in Slovakia should be subject to regulation, irrespective of the location of their headquarters.
Any content supporting or promoting extremism, the disparaging of nation, race or religious beliefs, the denying or approving of the Holocaust and crimes against humanity as well as content containing crimes of dangerous intimidation, fearmongering, espionage, leaking of classified information, sexual abuse and others is to be designated as illicit.
Remisova assured the public that the bill will not restrict the constitutional right to freedom of speech and the free spreading of information.
The bill is slated to be submitted for comments in May.
