Frank Ackermann is Director Self-Regulation at Verband der deutschen Internetwirtschaft e. V., supporting the German Internet Service Provider Association to tackle illegal and harmful content online since 2003. He is a member of the board of the International Network of Internet Hotlines (INHOPE) since 2007. Since 2003, Frank is practicing law in Bonn after he graduated as a civil servant in Cologne. He has previously worked with the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) for repatriation programmes in Bosnia and Kosovo. In 1998 and 2002, Frank has spent several months in Sofia/Bulgaria, working for the Lega Interconsult law firm as well as for the Konrad-Adenauer-Foundation. 
Frank studied law in Gießen and Bonn, followed by Slavic studies in Bonn.

29 September, Wednesday, 14.30 – 16.30

Parallel session: Sesion for law enforcement

Presentation title: Countering illegal and harmful material online - current developments  and challenges

German hotlines and German Federal Police have a well functioning working relationship since 1999. Following the coalition agreement between the government parties which requires child sexual abuse contents to be restricted for access at host-provider level instead of blocking it at access-provider level, procedures between police and hotlines are currently further optimized. Notification of the hosting ISP is a central element to address the incriminated content at its source. The level of cooperation between law enforcement and self-regulative bodies which helps to minimize periods of availability of child sexual abuse contents and provides for more detailed statistics could serve as a role model for other countries. A regular challenge for hotlines is the treatment of reported "harmful" content as opposed to "illegal" content, where complainants are expecting the hotline or law enforcement to take action in situations that are not sanctioned by law. Although the desired outcome is usually achieved on the basis of general terms and conditions by host providers, an obligation cannot and should not be read from it. Providers have to observe both the rights of their clients, some of them fundamental such as freedom of expression and the telecommunications secrecy, and the protection of youths in the media. Tangible limits can only be imposed by legislators.