The European Commission has announced that major tech companies, including Meta’s Facebook, Elon Musk’s X, and Google’s YouTube, have committed to bolstering efforts to combat online hate speech under a revised code of conduct. This updated code, now part of the EU’s Digital Services Act (DSA), aims to make platforms more accountable for harmful and illegal content.
A Unified Front Against Online Hate
First introduced in 2016, the voluntary code of conduct has been strengthened to align with the DSA’s requirements. Companies like Dailymotion, Instagram, LinkedIn, TikTok, Snapchat, Twitch, and Rakuten Viber have also signed the updated agreement. Henna Virkkunen, the EU’s tech commissioner, stated, “In Europe, there is no place for illegal hate, either offline or online. I welcome the strengthened commitment under the DSA.”
The DSA mandates platforms to take more proactive measures against harmful content, with compliance influencing how regulators enforce the Act. The integration of the revised code into EU legislation marks a significant step in holding companies accountable.
Key Changes in the Updated Code
Under the new guidelines, tech companies will work with not-for-profit and public entities specializing in hate speech to improve their review processes. At least two-thirds of hate speech notices received from these entities must be addressed within 24 hours.
The companies have also committed to:
- Utilizing automatic detection tools to identify and reduce hate speech.
- Offering transparency about how recommendation algorithms amplify or suppress illegal content.
- Sharing country-specific data on hate speech, categorized by race, religion, ethnicity, gender identity, or sexual orientation.
Balancing Free Speech and Safety
While these measures aim to curb harmful content, the integration of automatic detection tools and algorithmic adjustments raises questions about free speech and the potential for over-censorship. Platforms will need to balance compliance with the DSA while preserving open dialogue for users.
The Road Ahead
As the revised code of conduct becomes enforceable under the DSA, its success will largely depend on the willingness of platforms to maintain transparency and invest in content moderation. This strengthened collaboration between governments, tech companies, and non-profits could serve as a global model for tackling online hate speech.
The next few months will reveal how effectively these companies implement the measures and their impact on curbing hate speech online.
