The Committee of Experts on the Online Safety and Empowerment of Users and Content Creators (MSI-eSEC) held its fourth and final meeting in hybrid format at the Council of Europe, in Strasbourg, on 21–22 October 2025.

With input from participants and observers, including the European Commission, the Committee finalised a draft Recommendation on online safety and empowerment of users and content creators.

The text proposes to member states human rights–based solutions to promote an enabling online environment for freedom of expression online. It calls for greater platform accountability for how they design their services and process and assess and manage risks. It also focuses on the empowerment tools that should be provided to give users more control over their online experience.

The Expert Committee also discussed the draft Explanatory Memorandum, agreeing on the time frame for its finalisation.

Both documents will be submitted to the Steering Committee on Media and Information Society (CDMSI) for consideration at its next meeting in December. The CDMSI will examine the draft Recommendation with a view to its approval and subsequent adoption by the Committee of Ministers, as well as the adoption of the Explanatory Memorandum.