Mon. Dec 23rd, 2024

Brussels, 18 November 2024

The European Commission met with Australian and UK authorities to discuss online safety strategies. The meeting aimed to inform the development of EU guidelines for protecting minors online.

On Friday 15 November, DG CONNECT hosted a regulatory roundtable with representatives from the Australian eSafety Commissioner and the UK’s Ofcom. This meeting built on our recent administrative arrangements with the two leading digital services regulators from Australia and the UK, which facilitate closer cooperation and information-sharing on online safety issues. The event brought together experts to share best practices and expertise on enhancing children’s online safety.

Discussions centred on key aspects of online safety, including risk assessments, mitigation measures, age assurance, and Safety by Design. The EU’s Digital Services Act (DSA) requires Very Large Online Platforms and Search Engines to conduct annual systemic risk assessments, including on risks related to minors, and implement effective mitigation measures. The Commission shared its experience with risk assessments as a core component of the DSA.

The insights shared by Ofcom and the eSafety Commissioner will inform the Commission’s upcoming Guidelines for the Protection of Minors Online under Article 28 of the DSA. This follows a recent call for evidence, which gathered valuable input from stakeholders on how to effectively protect minors online. Protecting minors is a top priority, as reflected in both the EU’s Better Internet for Kids strategy and the DSA. This commitment will continue to be a focus for the European Commission.

In recognition of the global nature of online safety challenges, we are collaborating with fellow regulators to address common issues that transcend borders. This roundtable was the first in a series of tripartite dialogues aimed at ensuring a safer internet for children and adults in the EU, Australia, and the UK.

 Source – EU Commission

 

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