Trusted flaggers
Trusted flaggers are organizations that detect, identify, and report illegal content to online platforms. Market participants are able to apply for trusted flagger status with ACM.
On this page:
Status of trusted flagger
Trusted flaggers report illegal content to the provider of the online platform on which the content is found. They primarily focus on a certain type of illegal content, for example hate speech, sexual misconduct, or terrorist content.
Examples of organizations that can be trusted flaggers:
- Trade associations
- NGOs
- Hotlines or complaints offices
Online platforms must give priority to reports from trusted flaggers. This does not necessarily mean that an online platform must also remove the content.
Requirements
Trusted flaggers must be able to detect, identify, and report illegal content. They need to have sufficient knowledge, expertise, and resources for this. In addition, they need to file their reports with care, accurately, and objectively. Also, they are independent from providers of online platforms. Only then are they able to do their work in an impartial and unbiased manner.
Only organizations located in the Netherlands are able to be granted trusted flagger status. Natural persons cannot be granted trusted flagger status.
Expertise
Trusted flaggers must have sufficient expertise, for example legal or technical expertise. When assessing applications, we look at the staff’s knowledge, among other aspects, particularly with regard to detecting, identifying, and reporting illegal content.
We especially look at your organization’s proven experience overall. For example, your organization has collaborated with online platforms with regard to illegal content.
We will not reject applications filed by new organizations if they are able to show knowledge and expertise in other ways.
Filing reports with care, accurately, and objectively
Trusted flaggers must file reports with care, accurately, and objectively. For example, you need to make sure you do not wrongfully file reports about illegal content. That is why, in the assessment, we look at your working methods, for example, the fact that you have multiple people in your organization assessing the content before filing the report.
Independent
Trusted flaggers must be independent of providers of online platforms. As a flagger, you are allowed to collaborate with online platforms voluntarily if it concerns the reporting of content that is at odds with the terms and conditions of those platforms. You file those reports in that voluntary capacity, not in your capacity as trusted flagger.
Filing an application for trusted flagger status
File an application for trusted flagger status using this form:
Procedure
When we have received your application, we will assess whether you meet the requirements. We will then decide whether or not you are granted trusted flagger status.
We have the option of using a uniform public preparatory procedure. In such a procedure, we will publish a draft certification decision on our website. Interested parties will have the opportunity to submit their opinions about the draft decision. We will take these opinions into consideration when finalizing our decision. The time between the application and the final decision may take up to six (6) months. It may take longer, but only if more information is required.
Trusted flagger status is granted for a period of three years. After three years, we will automatically review your status.
Oversight
We conduct oversight over trusted flaggers. As a trusted flagger, you are required to publish every year an overview of all reports that you have filed. In this overview, you describe what online platforms are concerned, the type of illegal content you have reported, and what action the online platforms in question have taken. You will send that overview to us as well.
If you no longer meet the requirements for trusted flaggers, we may revoke your status at any moment.
We may launch investigations, either ex officio or following reports. If you believe that a trusted flagger no longer meets the conditions for certification, you can file a report with us.
On a publicly accessible website, the European Commission keeps a list of trusted flaggers.