Lisbon, Jan. 25, 2021 (Lusa) - The Portuguese presidency of the Council of the European Union intends to conclude the legislative process to guarantee the Member States regulatory instruments to remove terrorist content from the Internet, the Portuguese ministry of internal affairs announced on Monday.

"It is a priority of the Portuguese presidency of the Council of the European Union to conclude the legislative process of the regulation on the removal of online terrorist content, which will allow all Member States to have a common instrument to prevent terrorist groups from using the Internet to radicalise, recruit and incite violence", the ministry said in a statement.

In December, the German presidency of the Council of the European Union, which preceded the Portuguese presidency, and the European Parliament announced that they had reached an interim agreement on a regulation that provides for the removal of online terrorist content in one hour.

"The aim of the legislation is the rapid removal of online terrorist content and a common instrument for all Member States to this end", the European Council stressed on that occasion.

The fight against digital threats was discussed today at the ministerial meeting of the Internet Forum, which took place by video conferencing. Eduardo Cabrita attended as the Portuguese minister chairing the Council of the European Union in internal affairs.

At the meeting, participants discussed the prevention of radicalisation by far-right movements and jihadist fundamentalism, concluding that "the Internet cannot serve as a vehicle for spreading extremist messages", the Portuguese ministry said.

According to the same source, the Portuguese internal affairs minister called on those in charge of the digital industry to collaborate actively with EU member states and security forces in combating the security threats posed by the Internet.

Cabrita stressed the importance of the various actors having a "common and effective response to the risks of the digital platforms, while ensuring data protection and safeguarding fundamental rights, as pillars of the European Union".

"The internet is a fundamental tool, but its misuse remains a dangerous threat as a channel for the dissemination of hate speech, misinformation and false news, incitement to violence, radicalisation, recruitment to terrorism or child sexual abuse", the minister added.

Cabrita also said that "clear definitions, guidelines and common indicators" are needed to identify these online threats, as well as a common language to increase cooperation with industry partners.

PC/ADB // ADB.

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