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Ansvar och yttrandefrihet – En redogörelse för yttrandefrihetsrättsliga problem med EU:s reglering av sociala medieplattformar.

Lennartsson, Louise LU (2023) JURM02 20232
Department of Law
Faculty of Law
Abstract
The aim of this study is to examine how the European Union’s regulation of intermediary liability and the new procedural obligations imposed on media platforms relate to the protection of freedom of expression contained in the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) and the European Union Charter. The present paper embarks on an analysis of the foundational protection of freedom of expression and information provided by Article 10 of the ECHR and Article 11 of the EU Charter. By using a legal dogmatic method to describe current law, the paper critically assesses the construction, function, and shortcomings of intermediary liability under the E-Commerce Directive and how these persist within the framework of the Digital Services Act... (More)
The aim of this study is to examine how the European Union’s regulation of intermediary liability and the new procedural obligations imposed on media platforms relate to the protection of freedom of expression contained in the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) and the European Union Charter. The present paper embarks on an analysis of the foundational protection of freedom of expression and information provided by Article 10 of the ECHR and Article 11 of the EU Charter. By using a legal dogmatic method to describe current law, the paper critically assesses the construction, function, and shortcomings of intermediary liability under the E-Commerce Directive and how these persist within the framework of the Digital Services Act (DSA).
The liability of media platforms for user-generated content was previously regulated in the European Union by the E-Commerce Directive and later transferred to the DSA. The regulation is based on media platforms being discharged from liability provided that certain conditions are met. These conditions relate to passivity, knowledge and expeditious action. In addition to the exemption from liability, the DSA incorporates various procedural and formal requirements for media platforms, with the overarching objective of enhancing transparency and safeguarding the fundamental rights of users.
The paper shows that under the E-Commerce Directive there were a number of ambiguities regarding the liability limits and the interpretation of various elements of the regulation. Consequently, the regulatory landscape was fragmented and unpredictably applied. Concurrently, most of these ambiguities have persisted within the framework of the DSA, with the emergence of new uncertainties.
Furthermore, the paper highlights that although the DSA introduces several measures aimed at preserving users' freedom of expression and information in the digital realm, there is an imminent risk of legitimate content removal. This risk is attributed to both the structure of liability exemption and certain active measures required by the DSA. Consequently, the paper raises concerns regarding the compatibility of the DSA with Article 10 ECHR and Article 11 EU Charter, mainly with regard to the requirements of legality and necessity. (Less)
Abstract (Swedish)
Syftet med denna uppsats är att undersöka hur EU:s reglering av mellanhand-sansvar och de nya processuella skyldigheter som åläggs medieplattformar förhåller sig till det yttrandefrihetsrättsliga skydd som finns i Europakonvent-ionen (EKMR) och EU-stadgan. Uppsatsen innehåller en analys av det grund-läggande skyddet för yttrande- och informationsfriheten som stadgas i artikel 10 EKMR och artikel 11 EU-stadgan. Genom att använda en rättsdogmatisk metod för att beskriva gällande rätt går uppsatsen igenom mellanhandsansva-rets konstruktion, funktion, samt de brister som har funnits under e-handelsdirektivet och hur dessa sedermera fortlever genom Digital Services Act (DSA).
Medieplattformars ansvar för användarproducerat innehåll har inom... (More)
Syftet med denna uppsats är att undersöka hur EU:s reglering av mellanhand-sansvar och de nya processuella skyldigheter som åläggs medieplattformar förhåller sig till det yttrandefrihetsrättsliga skydd som finns i Europakonvent-ionen (EKMR) och EU-stadgan. Uppsatsen innehåller en analys av det grund-läggande skyddet för yttrande- och informationsfriheten som stadgas i artikel 10 EKMR och artikel 11 EU-stadgan. Genom att använda en rättsdogmatisk metod för att beskriva gällande rätt går uppsatsen igenom mellanhandsansva-rets konstruktion, funktion, samt de brister som har funnits under e-handelsdirektivet och hur dessa sedermera fortlever genom Digital Services Act (DSA).
Medieplattformars ansvar för användarproducerat innehåll har inom EU tidi-gare reglerats genom e-handelsdirektivet men sedermera ersatts av bestämmel-serna i DSA. Regleringen, i såväl e-handelsdirektivet som i DSA, bygger på att medieplattformar erhåller ansvarsfrihet under förutsättning att vissa rekvisit uppfylls. Dessa rekvisit handlar om passivitet, kännedom och agerande utan dröjsmål. DSA innehåller utöver ansvarsfriheten en rad processuella och for-mella krav på medieplattformarna som bland annat syftar till att skapa transpa-rens och skydda användarnas grundläggande rättigheter.
Uppsatsen visar att det under e-handelsdirektivet fanns en rad oklarheter för ansvarsfrihetens gränser och hur olika rekvisit i regleringen skulle tolkas, samt att regleringen var fragmentiserad och oförutsebar. Samtidigt har merpar-ten av oklarheterna förts över till DSA, samtidigt som några nya oklarheter uppkommit.
Uppsatsen visar också att samtidigt som DSA inför ett antal åtgärder som syftar till att skydda användarnas yttrande- och informationsfrihet online, finns en överhängande risk för att lagligt innehåll tas bort. Detta beror både på ansvarsfrihetens utformning och på några av de krav på aktiva åtgärder som DSA inför. Uppsatsen visar att DSA väcker betänkligheter vad gäller dess förenlighet med artikel 10 EKMR och artikel 11 EU-stadgan, huvudsakligen vad gäller kraven på legalitet och nödvändighet. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
Lennartsson, Louise LU
supervisor
organization
alternative title
Intermediary liability and freedom of expression – An account of freedom of expression problems with EU regulation of social media platforms.
course
JURM02 20232
year
type
H3 - Professional qualifications (4 Years - )
subject
keywords
EU-rätt, mellanhandsansvar, yttrandefrihet, e-handelsdirektivet, Digital Services Act
language
Swedish
id
9142862
date added to LUP
2024-01-21 17:23:31
date last changed
2024-01-21 17:23:31
@misc{9142862,
  abstract     = {{The aim of this study is to examine how the European Union’s regulation of intermediary liability and the new procedural obligations imposed on media platforms relate to the protection of freedom of expression contained in the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) and the European Union Charter. The present paper embarks on an analysis of the foundational protection of freedom of expression and information provided by Article 10 of the ECHR and Article 11 of the EU Charter. By using a legal dogmatic method to describe current law, the paper critically assesses the construction, function, and shortcomings of intermediary liability under the E-Commerce Directive and how these persist within the framework of the Digital Services Act (DSA). 
The liability of media platforms for user-generated content was previously regulated in the European Union by the E-Commerce Directive and later transferred to the DSA. The regulation is based on media platforms being discharged from liability provided that certain conditions are met. These conditions relate to passivity, knowledge and expeditious action. In addition to the exemption from liability, the DSA incorporates various procedural and formal requirements for media platforms, with the overarching objective of enhancing transparency and safeguarding the fundamental rights of users.
The paper shows that under the E-Commerce Directive there were a number of ambiguities regarding the liability limits and the interpretation of various elements of the regulation. Consequently, the regulatory landscape was fragmented and unpredictably applied. Concurrently, most of these ambiguities have persisted within the framework of the DSA, with the emergence of new uncertainties.
Furthermore, the paper highlights that although the DSA introduces several measures aimed at preserving users' freedom of expression and information in the digital realm, there is an imminent risk of legitimate content removal. This risk is attributed to both the structure of liability exemption and certain active measures required by the DSA. Consequently, the paper raises concerns regarding the compatibility of the DSA with Article 10 ECHR and Article 11 EU Charter, mainly with regard to the requirements of legality and necessity.}},
  author       = {{Lennartsson, Louise}},
  language     = {{swe}},
  note         = {{Student Paper}},
  title        = {{Ansvar och yttrandefrihet – En redogörelse för yttrandefrihetsrättsliga problem med EU:s reglering av sociala medieplattformar.}},
  year         = {{2023}},
}