Section 44 — Publicity regarding non‑compliance with directions

(1)If the Minister is satisfied that a provider of a social media service, a relevant electronic service or an internet access service does not comply with a Part 3 direction, the Minister may direct a competent authority —

(a)to prepare a statement to that effect; and

(b)to publish the statement on the official website of the competent authority.

(2)If —

(a)a competent authority has prepared a statement under subsection (1) in relation to a provider of a social media service, a relevant electronic service or an internet access service;

(b)the statement has been published on the official website of the competent authority; and

(c)the Minister is satisfied that the provider of that service complies with that Part 3 direction, the competent authority must remove the statement from that official website.

(3)Statements published under this section are protected by absolute privilege.