Major tech companies like Meta’s Facebook, Elon Musk’s X, Google’s YouTube, and TikTok are stepping up their efforts to tackle online hate speech. These companies have now signed onto a revamped voluntary code of conduct that aligns with the European Union’s Digital Services Act (DSA).
The European Commission has expressed support for the updated code, emphasising the importance of making tech companies accountable for the content they host. Henna Virkkunen, EU Commissioner for Tech, reinforced that there is no room for illegal hate, online or offline, in Europe.
Not just the big names like Facebook, X, and YouTube, but also other key platforms such as Instagram, LinkedIn, Snapchat, and TikTok have agreed to follow the new guidelines. The original code, which was first put in place in 2016, has been updated with stricter measures to address hate speech online.
So, what’s changed? For one, the new code will allow experts from non-profit or public organisations focused on illegal hate speech to keep an eye on how companies handle reports of harmful content. Tech firms must now act on at least two-thirds of hate speech reports they get from these entities within 24 hours.
The companies have also committed to using automatic detection tools to help reduce the spread of harmful content. Plus, there will be more transparency around how recommendation systems work and how illegal content can reach users before it gets removed.
(By arrangement with Livemint.com)
