The Broadcasting Council has approved the Regulation on the certification of trusted notifiers. Who can obtain this status

Members of the Broadcasting Council (BC) have approved the Regulation on the certification procedure for trusted notifiers. The decision was made during the meeting on Wednesday, May 6. The document establishes this status for individuals or organizations capable of identifying and reporting illegal content on video platforms in a professional, objective, and independent manner. Certification will be granted by the CA based on a documented application, following an assessment of the applicant’s competencies, resources, independence, and transparency.

“Thus, for the first time, an official and credible mechanism for reporting illegal content will be created, with clear obligations for notifiers (including annual reports) and the possibility of suspending or revoking the status. The tool will facilitate online risk management and enhance digital safety,” the press release from the audiovisual authority states.

According to the regulation, to obtain the status of trusted notifier, individuals or organizations must demonstrate that they have specialized expertise in identifying illegal content, possess sufficient human and technical resources, and act independently of video platforms and political influences. Applicants must submit notifications with accuracy, objectivity, and diligence, be familiar with applicable legislation, and use appropriate monitoring tools. They must also ensure transparency in their funding and decision-making processes, respect users’ rights, and be able to demonstrate that they have the actual capacity to identify and report illegal content consistently and professionally.

Furthermore, the regulation states that the status of trusted notifier may be suspended or revoked by the BC if the holder no longer meets the initial conditions, submits inaccurate notifications, or fails to comply with transparency obligations. The authority may initiate inspections, including based on reports from platforms or third parties. At the same time, the status ceases upon request, in the event of dissolution, insolvency, or if the activity can no longer continue under the conditions set forth in the regulation.

The regulation was drafted in the context of the entry into force, in August 2025, of several amendments to the Code on Audiovisual Media Services, including those that expand the scope of monitoring and regulation over non-linear media services—that is, video-on-demand content distributed online.

In the December edition of the CuMINTE podcast, Liliana Vițu, Chair of the Board of Directors, explained that, in practical terms, the activities of a non-linear service operating as an online television service must be evaluated according to criteria similar to those applied to a licensed television broadcaster: an organized program catalog, video-on-demand, regularity, and role in shaping public opinion.

At the European Union level, trusted flaggers operate under the Digital Services Act (DSA), the transposition of which is currently underway by the competent authorities in our country.

According to the European Commission, “trusted notifiers are an essential part of the DSA’s strategy to combat illegal content online.”