European Union: German Regional Court requested preliminary ruling from Court of Justice of the European Union on definition of operator under Council Regulation (EU) No 833/2014

On 31 January 2025, a German Regional Court requested a preliminary ruling from the Court of Justice of the European Union on the definition of operator under Council Regulation (EU) No 833/2014 concerning restrictive measures in view of Russia's actions destabilising the situation in Ukraine. The primary aim of 833/2014 is to prevent the transmission of disinformation by “operators” from specific entities, such as Sputnik and Russia Today, across the European Union. Regarding criminal proceedings against individuals broadcasting prohibited content via a public blog, the Regional Court asks the CJEU whether the term “operator” includes those who publish prohibited material under Article 2f(1) but only generate income from donations.