First reading of the Draft Act on Amendments to the Information Society Service Act, the Copyright Act, and the Taxation Procedure Act (390 SE)
Session: 15th Riigikogu, 3rd session, plenary sitting
Date: 2024-04-18 01:55
Total Speeches: 10
Membership: 15
Agenda Duration: 10m
AI Summaries: 10/10 Speeches (100.0%)
Analysis: Structured Analysis
Analysis
Summary
The agenda item was the first reading of Draft Act 390, initiated by the Government of the Republic, concerning amendments to the Information Society Service Act, the Copyright Act, and the Taxation Procedure Act. The purpose of the draft act is to ensure the fulfillment and supervision of the requirements set forth in the European Union’s Digital Services Act (DSA) in Estonia. Minister of Economic Affairs and Information Technology Tiit Riisalo explained in his presentation that the DSA is a directly applicable regulation that makes the internet environment safer, allowing for more effective combating of the spread of illegal content (e.g., dangerous goods, illegal activities) while simultaneously protecting people's freedom of speech and information. The regulation establishes due diligence obligations for intermediary service providers and separate obligations for very large digital platforms (those with over 45 million users in the EU), requiring them to assess and mitigate risks. In Estonia, the Consumer Protection and Technical Regulatory Authority (TTJA) is designated as the supervisory authority and digital services coordinator, which has the right to impose fines for non-compliance with these obligations.
Andres Sutt, the rapporteur of the Economic Affairs Committee, presented the committee’s positions. Among other things, the committee discussed the distribution of fines (which will go to the EU budget) and how the draft act helps restrict prohibited content, such as Russian propaganda and pornographic or violent content dangerous to minors. It was confirmed that the regulation does not restrict freedom of speech but rather helps protect it, as decisions by platforms to remove content can be challenged. The committee proposed concluding the first reading, which was decided by consensus.
Decisions Made 3
Appoint Andres Sutt as the representative of the lead committee.
Propose including the draft bill on the plenary session agenda on April 17th.
Conclude the first reading of Draft Bill 390.
Aseesimees Jüri Ratas
AI Summary
The Riigikogu is debating in its first reading Government-initiated Bill No. 390, which amends the Information Society Services Act, the Copyright Act, and the Taxation Procedure Act, and called Minister of Economic Affairs and Information Technology Tiit Riisalo to the floor.
Majandus- ja infotehnoloogiaminister Tiit Riisalo
AI Summary
Tiit Riisalo introduced draft legislation that implements the EU Digital Services Regulation in Estonia. Under this regulation, digital platforms must assess risks related to the dissemination of illegal content, establish mechanisms for users to report and remove content, and, if necessary, restore content with proper justification, all while protecting freedom of speech. Furthermore, the bill assigns the TTJA (Consumer Protection and Technical Regulatory Authority) the role of supervision and coordination of cross-border information exchange to ensure a unified and competitive digital single market and enhanced protection for Estonian users.
Aseesimees Jüri Ratas
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Jüri Ratas thanked the Minister for the report, noted that there were no questions, and invited Andres Sutt, a member of the Economic Affairs Committee, to the Riigikogu rostrum to deliver a presentation.
Andres Sutt
AI Summary
The Economic Committee discussed the aforementioned draft bill, which establishes supervision and fines for large digital platforms—the revenue from which will go to the European Union budget—and which seeks to restrict access to Russian propaganda and pornographic and violent content for the protection of minors. At the same time, it was emphasized that freedom of speech would not be diminished, as decisions can be challenged by both the platform and an extrajudicial body. Furthermore, it was decided by consensus to appoint a representative to the leading committee, place the draft bill on the plenary agenda for April 17, and conclude the first reading.
Aseesimees Jüri Ratas
AI Summary
Ratas noted that when the matter went to a reading, the entire package was considered, not the individual amendments.
Andres Sutt
AI Summary
Andres Sutt said that there were no amendments.
Aseesimees Jüri Ratas
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Jüri Ratas confirms his readiness and invites Karmen Joller to present her question.
Karmen Joller
AI Summary
Karmen Joller asks whether the law currently being adopted in the European Union that disciplines digital platforms, along with the fines stipulated by it and the liability for all content, are interconnected, or how they influence each other.
Andres Sutt
AI Summary
The Economic Committee only addressed amendments related to or stipulated in 390 SE, and there was no broader discussion about how the committee's regulations or draft legislation fit together.
Aseesimees Jüri Ratas
AI Summary
I thank the rapporteur, there are no questions, and the opening of debates is not recommended; the leading committee proposes the conclusion of the first reading of Draft Act 390, and the first reading is concluded; the deadline for submitting amendments is May 2nd at 5:15 PM, and the consideration of the fifth item on the agenda is concluded.