As Greece’s hotline for reporting illegal online material and a key part of the Greek Safer Internet Centre (under the auspices of the Foundation for Research and Technology-Hellas, FORTH), SafeLine.gr is now the first officially recognised Trusted Flagger in Greece under the European Union’s new Digital Services Act (DSA).

This recognition celebrates SafeLine’s 25 years of commitment to addressing issues like child exploitation, hate speech, online scams, and so on, since 2003. With this status, SafeLine can identify and report illegal content faster, helping to make the internet safer for all. 

You can access the detailed decision of the Hellenic Telecommunications and Post Commission here.  

“SafeLine.gr is the first Hotline in Greece to be recognized as a Trusted Flagger under the European Digital Services Act, marking a long history of commitment to combatting illegal online content. This recognition strengthens our continuous efforts toward a safer digital world for everyone.” - Proffessor Paraskevi Fragopoulou, Coordinator of the Greek Safer Internet Centre FORTH and the SafeLine Hotline.

What is a "Trusted flagger"?

Under the DSA, Trusted flaggers are recognised by European institutions for their reliability in reporting illegal internet content. They have the privilege of direct, prioritised handling of their reports by major digital platforms, including social networks and search engines, allowing for faster removal of illegal material from the internet. The recognition of SafeLine.gr as a Trusted flagger will allow it to act more effectively, enhancing user protection and ensuring compliance with the rules of the DSA Law.

Overview of the Digital Services Act  

As is mentioned in the European Union guide, the DSA ensures that all digital services we use, especially the so-called 'very large online platforms' such as Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok, and YouTube, and 'very large online search engines' like Google or Bing, will make greater efforts to protect user rights, ensure user safety, and limit the spread of illegal or inappropriate content. The Digital Services Act requires online platforms to consider the impact of their services on important issues such as fair elections, public safety, users’ mental and physical well-being, and gender-based violence.

The DSA requires online platforms to respect our fundamental rights when we are on the internet. Among all those listed in the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union, the ones most relevant to the DSA and the protection of minors online are the following:

• The principle of the 'best interests of the child';
• The right to child protection;
• The right to freedom of expression;
• The right to non-discrimination;
• The right to personal data protection;
• Ensuring a high level of consumer protection.

Article 28 states that online platforms accessible to minors must ensure that their services offer a high level of privacy, security, and protection to young users.

You can view the Digital Services Act in Greek below:

• Summary: DSA Summary PDF
• Full text: DSA Complete Text

and in English here

• Full text: DSA Complete Text

Find more information about the work of the Greek Safer Internet Centre, including its awareness raising, helpline, hotline, and youth participation services, or find similar information for other Safer Internet Centres throughout Europe.