Online safety & content laws in Moldova (2026)

Parliament adopted amendments to the Audiovisual Media Services Code in July 2025 requiring video-sharing platforms under Moldovan jurisdiction to implement community guidelines, parental-control tools, minor-data protections, and a 'trusted flagger' system; the Audiovisual Council may order content removal within 24 hours of notification for illegal material.

A national Digital Services Law modelled on the EU DSA — covering illegal content, trusted flaggers, and obligations for Very Large Online Platforms — was launched for public consultation in late April 2025; at the first EU–Moldova Summit (July 4 2025) Moldova committed to transposing the DSA framework, with full implementation targeted by October 2026.

Law No. 252, which entered into force on 14 February 2026, criminalises stalking (up to 2–3 years' imprisonment) and online sexual harassment (up to 4 years, or 7 years if the victim is a minor), creating specific offences for technology-facilitated violence against women.

A March 2025 amendment to the Contravention Code proposes fines for spreading false or misleading information online, particularly targeting electoral integrity; critics — including Amnesty International and the Venice Commission — warn the definition of 'disinformation' is too vague and risks press freedom. Moldova also retains a ban on retransmitting audiovisual content with political or military content produced outside an approved country list (effectively excluding Russia).

Major global platforms (YouTube, Facebook, TikTok) have no legal entities registered in Moldova, significantly limiting the practical reach of the Audiovisual Council's enforcement powers under the current Audiovisual Media Services Code amendments; the forthcoming Digital Services Law is intended to address this through cooperation mechanisms with EU authorities.

Freedom House rated Moldova's internet as 'Free' in its 2024 Internet Freedom report, citing a generally open online environment with limited blocking; however, the report noted concerns about vague anti-disinformation provisions and the use of emergency powers affecting online media.