Efficiently Dealing with Online Inappropriate Content: The Role of Trusted Flaggers
Reporting online hate, harassment, and threats: a guide on taking action
Bonn (dpa/tmn) - Venture into the vast digital landscape and encounter a plethora of questionable online content? Don't despair; help is at hand. Certified bodies, known as Trusted Flaggers, can assist in halting the spread of hate postings, removing unsafe products on marketplaces, and protecting consumers from manipulative designs on online platforms. But where do you report these issues?
These trustworthy informants, established by the EU's Digital Services Act (DSA), are instrumental in making online platforms handle content and products more transparently and responsibly.
Trusted Flaggers: The Priority Reporting Mechanism
So, why not simply report dubious content directly to the concerned platform? The answer lies in prioritization. If a report of suspected illegal content originates from a recognized Trusted Flagger, the respective platform must treat it as urgent and act immediately, such as deleting questionable content. The Federal Network Agency, which certifies Trusted Flaggers in Germany, explains this priority process.
Expanding the Network of Trusted Flaggers
Previously limited to only one Trusted Flagger, the Respect reporting point of the Baden-Württemberg Youth Foundation, three more organizations have earned certification:
- Hateaid, a staunch opponent of digital violence, fraud, and deception, particularly on social media platforms.
- Verbraucherzentrale Bundesverband (vzbv), an advocate for consumer rights, product safety, online trading, and combating fraud on online marketplaces and social media platforms.
- Bundesverband Onlinehandel (BVOH), a strong force against intellectual property infringement and unfair competition, particularly on online marketplaces. The association mainly receives reports from its members regarding plagiarism allegations or suspected competition violations.
Site Owners Decide on Removal, but Must Explain Their Decisions
Neither these certified bodies nor the Federal Network Agency removes content or orders its removal. The respective platform or service decides whether to delete a content offer. If platforms decline to remove content, they must explain their reasons.
Disappointed with the decision or the actions taken by a platform? You can lodge a complaint with the platform, utilize an out-of-court dispute resolution body, or take your grievance to court. In the final analysis, it's the courts that determine the legality of content and whether said content should be permanently removed.
In Germany, the following bodies have gained certification as Trusted Flaggers under the Digital Services Act:
- Bundesverband Onlinehandel e.V. (BVOH): This national association focuses on commercial legal protection, particularly against brand piracy and counterfeit products on online marketplaces.
- HateAid gGmbH: This organization battles digital violence, fraud, and deception, with a primary emphasis on social media platforms.
- Verbraucherzentrale Bundesverband e.V. (vzbv): The Federation of German Consumer Organizations addresses issues revolving around consumer rights, product safety, e-commerce, and fraud on online platforms and social media.
These organizations were recognized due to their demonstrated expertise and independence from online platforms, ensuring diligent, accurate, and objective submissions of notices. Besides, they must annually publish reports detailing their activities, including the content notified and the platforms affected, to maintain their certification. Lastly, under the Digital Services Act, notifications from Trusted Flaggers must be prioritized, with platforms obliged to process these notifications promptly to address illegal content efficiently.
- HateAid, an organization combating digital violence, fraud, and deception, particularly on social media platforms, has been certified as a Trusted Flagger under the Digital Services Act.
- The Verbraucherzentrale Bundesverband (vzbv), an advocate for consumer rights, product safety, online trading, and combating fraud on online marketplaces and social media platforms, is one of the three additional organizations that have earned certification as Trusted Flaggers.
