Key Provisions of the Amended Act
The most significant feature of the amended Provider Liability Limitation Act, which took effect in November 2023, is the strengthening of removal obligations for sexual images and videos.
- An obligation for platforms to respond within 72 hours of a removal request from a victim
- Provisions for administrative fines and administrative guidance against platforms that fail to respond
- A mandatory measure to prevent re-posting after removal
- Simplified application procedures for attorneys representing victims
Before and After the Amendment
Before the amendment, there were many reports of platforms failing to act on removal requests for sexual images for weeks or months, citing "the time needed to make a judgment." Victims were left waiting for long periods while continuing to suffer psychological damage.
Assessment by Support Groups, and Remaining Challenges
The support organization "PAPS" assessed the change, saying, "The 72-hour rule is a major step forward. However, challenges remain, such as handling content in languages other than Japanese and applying the rules to platforms with overseas servers."
This article was compiled based on publicly available information.