Your FAQs on ‘Censorship Machines’

What is Article 13 and why should you care about it? We’ve made a handy guide to answer all your questions.

What, exactly, is a censorship machine? And how is your right to share and use content under threat right now?

In our fight against censorship in proposed EU copyright rules we often talk about ‘censorship machines’ or ‘content filters’. You might also see this phrase in reference to a new proposed law called Article 13 of the Copyright in the Digital Single Market Directive.

All of these different names mean the same thing, but sometimes we get questions asking for clarification.

That’s why we’ve put together a simple FAQ guide that answers all of those questions you may have:

• What is Article 13?

• How does it harm fundamental rights?

• Why do we call it ‘censorship machines’?

• How does this impact the right to link?

• Has this been implemented before?

• Who is concerned about this proposal?

• What can you do about Article 13?

Read the guide HERE.

The link between copyright rules and censorship isn't always obvious at first glance. That's why this guide makes it clear and accessible for everyone.

This isn’t just for those of you who want to get to grips with these issues.

There are politicians working on this file who don’t know what’s up, or why these plans are so dangerous.

Sometimes when we’ve had phone calls with them they say they are not working on it - even though they still get a vote on it! Even if it’s not their passion project, it’s an MEP’s job to get informed and vote in the best interests of their constituents.

Over the coming months we will be making sure that MEPs — and citizens across the EU — get to hear accurate information on what the Commission’s copyright law really is.

It is especially important that MEPs hear your views, so that they understand the problems the rules will bring, and know what their own voters think about it. 

To have impact, we’ll need as many people as possible to take part, so you can help now by calling your MEP and sharing this information with them.