Online safety and empowerment of users and content creators - Recommendation CM/Rec(2026)4 and Explanatory Memorandum (2026)

Council of Europe calls for greater transparency and stronger oversight of online platforms’ algorithms

Recommendation CM/Rec(2026)4 marks a significant step in platform regulation by putting human rights at the core of the online environment. Recognising that safe digital spaces are central to freedom of expression, it calls for legal frameworks that ensure public scrutiny and democratic oversight over how platforms uphold their human rights responsibilities. The focus shifts from content restrictions to requirements on design and systems, including algorithmic content curation and moderation. Effective risk assessment and mitigation measures are thus expected from the most influential platforms. Empowerment of users through transparency, user-friendly tools for personalisation, effective appeals and collective action is highlighted as key to online safety. The recommendation also sets expectations for responsible content creators and calls for targeted measures to protect and empower women and girls as well as vulnerable groups, including children. By combining regulation, accountability and empowerment, it paves the way for a human rights-based approach to online safety, in which the protection of users’ freedom of expression and safety go hand in hand.