Webinar: The Digital Prior Restraint: Can Freedom of Expression Survive Upload Filters?

Across Europe, automated upload filters are increasingly used by social media platforms to screen content before it's published—a practice that raises important questions about freedom of expression. These technologies are used as a measure to effectively limit the dissemination of terrorist content, of publications infringing copyright, among others.

Whether used voluntarily or mandated by law, these technologies can amount to a form of prior restraint, potentially limiting speech before it even reaches the public.

This webinar delves into the legal and human rights implications of upload filters under EU law. We’ll explore how both mandatory and voluntary filtering mechanisms are regulated by EU secondary legislation, and how these rules interact with fundamental rights protections. Drawing on European Court of Human Rights case law, the discussion will also highlight the procedural and institutional safeguards needed to prevent overreach, including the rights to a fair trial and to an effective remedy.

This webinar is jointly organised by Örebro University, the Robotics & AI Law Society (RAILS) and the

Moderator: Martin Ebers

Speakers:

Emmanuel Vargas Penagos, PhD researcher in AI and Law – Örebro University

Pietro Ortolani, Professor - Faculty of Law of Radboud University

Joan Barata Mir, Senior Legal Fellow – The Future of Free Speech

Silvia Caretta, Joint Doctoral Candidate in EU private law at Uppsala University & the WASP-HS Graduate School

Registration via zoom