online
Must a social network be moderated?
<p>Is it legal (from the point of view of European legislation) to create a social network without any moderation?</p>
<p>I am just starting the project and I honestly have else to do than sorting through hundreds of messages. Also, I don't have the financial resources to hire someone to do it.</p>

<p><strong>What do you mean by 'social network' and what do you mean by 'moderation'?</strong></p>
<p>If you want to process personal information of EU data subjects, you need either their (documented) permission or another legal basis. You must safeguard the data and provide a contact for complaints, information requests, and corrections, among other things.</p>
<p><em>If what you plan to do is not a routine case (like a store holding customer data or a sports club with membership lists), talk to a qualified professional.</em></p>
<p>EU law varies from state to state on some regulations of 'social networks.' The applicable law can vary by the size of the network. You might be required to provide a contact point for <em>complaints</em> (both on the web and in the real, physical world) and to respond to complains in short order. If that is 'moderation' by your definitions, then moderation will be required.</p>
<p><em>If what you plan to do is not a routine case (like a personal blog with a comment function), talk to a qualified professional.</em></p>
<p>My points are just the basics and not intended to replace professional legal advice, and the advice of a qualified data protection officer. (You might have to hire one of those for your company, depending on what you plan to do.)</p>
