Platforms face content removal deadline

The platforms would be required to remove this content within a 24-hour period, otherwise they would be exposed to "blocking" or "dereferencing."

Blocking and dereferencing explained

Blocking refers to the legal action that would prevent a platform from operating within the country, while dereferencing means search engines and other online directories would no longer link to the platform’s website.

EU legislation at the center

This requirement is part of new legislation being considered by the European Union, aimed at holding tech companies accountable for harmful content hosted on their services.

Support and opposition to the law

Supporters of the law argue it would help combat misinformation and illegal content more effectively, while critics warn it could infringe on free speech and place an undue burden on platforms.

Global implications anticipated

If enacted, the law could set a precedent for other regions to follow, potentially influencing how content moderation is handled worldwide.