Log in or register
Share on LinkedInShare on LinkedIn

ARTICLE · 20 SEPTEMBER 2017

Regulating Hate Speech?

Mason Hayes & Curran LLP
Mason Hayes & Curran LLP
Contributor
Mason Hayes & Curran LLP

Mason Hayes & Curran LLP

Managing Partner: Will Carmody Chair: Philip Nolan Number of partners: 124 Languages: French,...

View firm profile
Explore more from Mason Hayes & Curran LLP

Hate speech, and the role played by internet services providers, such as social media companies, in its regulation, has been the subject of much discussion.

IrelandMedia, Telecoms, IT, Entertainment
Philip Nolan
Philip Nolan
Emily Mahoney
Emily Mahoney
Author LinkedIn connections

Hate speech, and the role played by internet services providers, such as social media companies, in its regulation, has been the subject of much discussion. We examine the heightened regulatory activity concerning hate speech online and potential encroachment on the traditional immunities of online intermediaries regarding user-generated content.  

Immunity for user-generated content

Internet services providers, as 'mere conduits' and 'hosts' of information generally have legal immunity for user-generated content posted on their sites. This qualified guarantee of immunity has contributed to the development of the internet and social media around the world. In the EU, this protection is provided by Articles 12 to 15 of the eCommerce Directive 2000 and, in the US, by Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act of 1996.

We operate a free-to-view policy, asking only that you register in order to read all of our content. Please login or register to view the rest of this article.

Register for freeORLog in

View source

Related Articles

Legal Intelligence Newsletters: sign up for the latest legal and regulatory news on your chosen topics

Read more about

Related Comparative Guides

See more popular content from

Article

The EU Cyber Resilience Act: Reporting Obligations Take Effect

The EU Cyber Resilience Act introduces mandatory vulnerability and incident reporting obligations for products with digital elements starting September 2026. Economic operators developing, importing, or distributing such products in the EU face strict compliance deadlines, substantial penalties for non-compliance, and must implement security-by-design principles throughout product lifecycles.
European UnionMedia, Telecoms, IT, Entertainment
Matheson
Matheson
Article

NCSC Guidance On Cyber Governance: What Management Boards Of NIS2 Entities Need To Know

Ireland's National Cyber Security Centre has issued comprehensive guidance on NIS2 compliance, placing cybersecurity firmly in the boardroom. With potential fines reaching €10 million or 2% of global turnover for essential entities, management boards must now actively oversee cyber risk strategies, incident response capabilities, and supply chain vulnerabilities. The guidance provides a structured framework for organisations to assess their readiness before the National Cyber Security Bill takes effec
IrelandMedia, Telecoms, IT, Entertainment
Arthur Cox
Arthur Cox
Article

Irish Gambling Regulatory Regime – Implementation Update

Ireland's Gambling Regulatory Authority is now actively licensing operators and enforcing the comprehensive regulatory framework established by the Gambling Regulation Act 2024. With remote operators already transitioned and in-person operators facing a December 2026 deadline, the GRAI has implemented wide-ranging enforcement powers including administrative sanctions up to €20 million and criminal provisions for unlicensed activities. Recent CJEU case law highlights critical compliance considerations
GlobalMedia, Telecoms, IT, Entertainment
Matheson
Matheson
Article

EU KIDS Act: Grown-Up Rules For Online Providers

The European Commission has proposed the EU KIDS Act, establishing one of the most prescriptive child-safety frameworks yet at EU level. This comprehensive regulation would introduce graduated age-based access controls for social media, mandate safety-by-design requirements, and create a harmonized age-verification system across Member States. The proposal carries far-reaching implications for digital services accessible to minors, requiring providers to fundamentally redesign products, implement strict def
European UnionMedia, Telecoms, IT, Entertainment
William Fry LLP
William Fry LLP
Article

Countdown To Compliance: The Cyber Resilience Act Reporting Deadline Has Arrived

The EU's Cyber Resilience Act establishes comprehensive cybersecurity obligations for manufacturers, importers, and distributors of products with digital elements. With reporting requirements now in effect and full compliance required by December 2027, economic operators must navigate conformity assessments, incident reporting protocols, and enforcement mechanisms that include substantial penalties for non-compliance.
IrelandMedia, Telecoms, IT, Entertainment
Arthur Cox
Arthur Cox
Article

EU AI Act: Commission Draft Guidelines On Classification Of High-risk AI Systems

The European Commission has released draft guidelines clarifying how AI systems should be classified as high-risk under the EU AI Act, while simultaneously extending key compliance deadlines by up to two years. These guidelines provide detailed interpretative guidance on classification thresholds, the role of human oversight, and how complex or interconnected AI systems should be assessed for regulatory purposes.
IrelandMedia, Telecoms, IT, Entertainment
Arthur Cox
Arthur Cox