European Union: Council of Europe's Steering Committee on Media and Information Society closes consultation on recommendation on online safety and empowerment of content creators and users

On 8 August 2025, the Council of Europe's Steering Committee on Media and Information Society closes the consultation on the recommendation on online safety and empowerment of content creators and users. The recommendation applies to online platforms and internet intermediaries, particularly platforms of significant influence that affect freedom of expression due to their size, market share, or impact. The recommendation imposes obligations, including requiring platforms to conduct human rights impact assessments before design changes, mandating transparency about recommender systems and content moderation, and implementing "empowerment by design" features allowing users to personalise their online experience. It also establishes procedural rights, including swift notification of content moderation decisions and independent appeals, enables collective user action through professional flagging groups, and graduated responsibilities proportionate to platform size.