Upon the entry into force of the Decree on the enforcement of the state of emergency in Romania, which sets specific attributions on ANCOM with regard to removing or limiting the access to the fake news content on the COVID-19 evolution and the protection and prevention measures, ANCOM will implement the measures laid down in the presidential decree in close collaboration with the relevant institutions.

According to the provisions of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the providers of hosting services and the content providers may be forced by ANCOM decision to immediately stop - informing the users thereon - the transmission via the electronic communications network or the storage of the content, by removing it from the source, if by the respective content fake news are promoted concerning the COVID-19 evolution and the protection and prevention measures. If this is not possible or if the persons promoting fake news on the mentioned topics are not from Romania, ANCOM may obligate the providers of public electronic communications networks to block at once the access to that content of the users from Romania.

The identification and establishment of the false news character regarding the evolution of COVID-19 and the protection and prevention measures do not fall within the attributions of ANCOM. This task rests with the Strategic Communication Group and the Ministry of Internal Affairs, as specified in the instructions issued by the latter.

 

ANCOM will observe all the measures imposed under the said Decree.