EU Enforces Stricter Standards to Combat Online Hate Speech
Major tech companies, including Facebook, Elon Musk’s X, and Google’s YouTube, have agreed to adopt new measures to reduce hate speech online, according to the European Union. The updated code of conduct will now fall under the scope of the EU’s Digital Services Act (DSA), reports Reuters.
Launched in 2016, the code of conduct also includes platforms such as Dailymotion, Instagram, Microsoft, TikTok, and Twitch.
EU Technology Commissioner Henna Virkkunen stated, “There is no place for illegal hate in Europe, whether online or offline.”
Under the new rules, companies will review hate speech notifications through expert organizations and resolve two-thirds of such cases within 24 hours. They will also utilize automated tools to identify hateful content and make their moderation processes more transparent.
Additionally, the companies will provide country-specific data that categorizes hate speech based on race, religion, gender identity, or sexual orientation. The EU believes these measures will play a crucial role in enforcing the law effectively.
