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The European Commission And Tech Companies Unveil A Code Of Conduct To Fight Hate Speech In Europe

Stop Hate Speech - EU

Some of the world’s largest technology companies that include Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and Microsoft, have agreed to the new EU regulations that aim to fight hate speech. With it, the tech comanies will have to take down those posts within 24 hours.

The comments or posts however, will only be removed if they breach the regulations and do indeed pose as actual hate speech, rather than general repugnant opinions. The move by the European Commission is in line with its aim to stop online propaganda and the spread of terrorist recruitment on the web by ensuring all posts are reviewed within a day of being flagged.

The agreement that was released in Brussels, 31 May 2016, is also the first step towards creating a standardized policy and response to illegal hate speech and propaganda across EU nations.

Vĕra Jourová, a EU Commissioner for Justice, Consumers and Gender Equality, said:

"The recent terror attacks have reminded us of the urgent need to address illegal online hate speech. Social media is unfortunately one of the tools that terrorist groups use to radicalize young people and racist use to spread violence and hatred. This agreement is an important step forward to ensure that the internet remains a place of free and democratic expression, where European values and laws are respected. I welcome the commitment of worldwide IT companies to review the majority of valid notifications for removal of illegal hate speech in less than 24 hours and remove or disable access to such content, if necessary."

The regulations were answered by the corresponding tech companies.

Twitter's Head of Public Policy for Europe, Karen White, commented:

"Hateful conduct has no place on Twitter and we will continue to tackle this issue head on alongside our partners in industry and civil society. We remain committed to letting the Tweets flow. However, there is a clear distinction between freedom of expression and conduct that incites violence and hate. In tandem with actioning hateful conduct that breaches Twitter's Rules, we also leverage the platform’s incredible capabilities to empower positive voices, to challenge prejudice and to tackle the deeper root causes of intolerance. We look forward to further constructive dialogue between the European Commission, member states, our partners in civil society and our peers in the technology sector on this issue."

Google’s Public Policy and Government Relations Director, Lie Junius, said:

"We're committed to giving people access to information through our services, but we have always prohibited illegal hate speech on our platforms. We have efficient systems to review valid notifications in less than 24 hours and to remove illegal content. We are pleased to work with the Commission to develop co- and self-regulatory approaches to fighting hate speech online."

Monika Bickert, Head of Global Policy Management at Facebook said:

"We welcome today's announcement and the chance to continue our work with the Commission and wider tech industry to fight hate speech. With a global community of 1.6 billion people we work hard to balance giving people the power to express themselves whilst ensuring we provide a respectful environment. As we make clear in our Community Standards, there's no place for hate speech on Facebook. We urge people to use our reporting tools if they find content that they believe violates our standards so we can investigate. Our teams around the world review these reports around the clock and take swift action."

John Frank, Vice President EU Government Affairs at Microsoft, added:

"We value civility and free expression, and so our terms of use prohibit advocating violence and hate speech on Microsoft-hostedconsumer services. We recently announced additional steps to specifically prohibit the posting of terrorist content. We will continue to offer our users a way to notify us when they think that our policy is being breached. Joining the Code of Conduct reconfirms our commitment to this important issue."

Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and Microsoft

Their Commitments To Fight Hate Speech

The tech companies in signing the code of conduct is their way to continue their on going efforts to fight terrorism and to tackle illegal hate speech on their platform and of course on the web itself. To make it efficient, the companies will include the continued development of internal procedures and staff training to guarantee that they can review the majority of flagged posts for removal in less than 24 hour.

They also underline that the present code of conduct is aimed at guiding their own activities as well as sharing best practices with other internet companies, platforms and social media operators.

The companies and the European Commission also aim to continue their work in identifying and promoting independent counter-narratives, new ideas and initiatives, and supporting educational programs that encourage critical thinking.

As for the complete code on conduct, it include the following public commitments:

  • The tech companies are taking the lead on countering the spread of illegal hate speech online.
  • They have to have a clear and effective process to review notifications regarding illegal hate speech on their services so they can remove or disable access to such content. They need to have in place the Rules or Community Guidelines to clarify users that they prohibit the promotion of incitement to violence and hateful conduct.
  • Upon receipt of a valid removal notification, the companies to review such requests against their rules and community guidelines and where necessary national laws transposing the Framework Decision 2008/913/JHA, with dedicated teams reviewing requests.
  • They have to review the majority of valid notifications for removal of illegal hate speech in less than 24 hours and remove or disable access to such content, if necessary.
  • The companies also need to educate and raise awareness with their users about the types of content not permitted under their rules and community guidelines.
  • They have to provide information on the procedures for submitting notices, with a view to improving the speed and effectiveness of communication between the Member State authorities and themselves, in particular on notifications and on disabling access to or removal of illegal hate speech online.
  • The tech companies need to encourage the provision of notices and flagging of content that promotes incitement to violence and hateful conduct at scale by experts, particularly via partnerships with CSOs, by providing clear information on individual company Rules and Community Guidelines and rules on the reporting and notification processes.
  • The companies rely on support from Member States and the European Commission to ensure access to a representative network of CSO partners and "trusted reporters" in all Member States helping to help provide high quality notices.
  • They have to provide regular training to their staff on current societal developments and to exchange views on the potential for further improvement.
  • They have to intensify cooperation between themselves and other platforms and social media companies to enhance best practice sharing.
  • The companies and the European Commission, recognizing the value of independent counter speech against hateful rhetoric and prejudice, aim to continue their work in identifying and promoting independent counter-narratives, new ideas and initiatives and supporting educational programs that encourage critical thinking.
  • They have to intensify their work with CSOs to deliver best practice training on countering hateful rhetoric and prejudice and increase the scale of their proactive outreach to CSOs to help them deliver effective counter speech campaigns.
  • The European Commission in coordination with Member States to promote the adherence to the commitments set out in this code of conduct also to other relevant platforms and social media companies.