Argentina: Introduced Bill S-1440/2022 on the protection and defense against the publications of illegal content on platforms of service providers of social networks

On 22 June 2022, Bill S-1440/2022 on the protection and defense against the publications of illegal content on platforms of service providers of social networks was introduced in the Senate of Argentina. The Bill would require online platforms with over one million users to implement a flagging mechanism to report fake news and hate speech on the platform. In the case of suspected "fake news" speech, the provider would be required to block the illegal content within 7 days of the reception of the complaint. In case of doubt, the platform may investigate the case for a maximum of 30 days. In the case of suspected "hate speech", the provider would be required to block the illegal content within 24 hours of the reception of the complaint. The "hate speech" is considered content aimed at intimidating, discriminating, or inciting hatred and/or violence against an individual or group of individuals based on their race, religion, nationality, gender, sexual orientation, disability, or other group characteristic. In case of non-compliance, the platforms would face ARS 20’000 to 2 million, and in case of non-compliance with the hate speech removal requirements, platforms would be suspended for one year.