CSAM Workshop 1: Role of hosting service providers in combating sexual violence against children

On 11 May 2022, the EU Commission published its proposal for a regulation establishing rules to prevent and combat child sexual abuse (CSAM Regulation).

For eco, the topic of CSAM or sexualised violence against children on the internet is of particular importance. On the one hand, eco members are committed in many ways against such abuse of their infrastructure. On the other hand, eco itself contributes significantly to the fight against sexualised violence against children on the Internet with the activities of its Complaints Office.

With a series of events, eco would like to give impulses for the further legislative debate and discuss existing concerns regarding the Commission's proposal objectively with experts from business and politics: Within the framework of two virtual workshops, we would like to address the role of the various providers of hosting services in combating sexualised violence against children (12 October) and the challenges and possibilities of disclosure measures/search obligations (26 October). In a final panel discussion event, we would also like to discuss the issues of mandatory reporting and mandatory blocking as well as the interplay between the EU Centre, coordinating authorities and existing structures and conclude the series in November (exact date to be confirmed).

The virtual workshops are held in English.

Workshop 1: Role of hosting service providers in combating sexual violence against children (12 October 2022, 13h30-15h30 CEST)

The EU Commission has high hopes for the new obligations for hosting service providers. However, the draft text of the CSAM Regulation does not distinguish between the different types of hosting services. In practice though, the different hosting services have very different possibilities of use, the providers of the services also have very different knowledge of the concrete use and in fact very different ways to react with regard to the misuse of their services.

This introductory workshop will therefore analyse and discuss the role of hosting service providers in combating sexualised violence against children.

Participating practical and political experts are: Ms Janina Wetzel (Hetzner), Ms Michela Palladino (Meta), Ms Alexandra Koch-Skiba (eco Complaints Office), Benjamin Gorgs (State Office of Criminal Investigation NRW), MEP Marcel Kolaja, MEP Moritz Körner

Moderation: Mr Thomas Bihlmayer (eco)