(BRUSSELS) – Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and Microsoft signed up Tuesday to an EU code of conduct that includes a series of commitments to combat the spread of illegal hate speech online in Europe.
At a meeting in Brussels, Vera Jourova, the EU’s Justice Commissioner, welcomed the commitment of the worldwide IT companies to combating hate speech in social media by reviewing the majority of valid notifications for removal of illegal hate speech in less than 24 hours and removing or disabling access to such content if necessary. “Public incitement to violence to hatred has no place online”, she said.
The definition of illegal online content is based on a Framework Decision on Combatting Racism and Xenophobia which criminalises the public incitement to violence or hatred directed against a group of persons or a member of such a group defined by reference to race, colour, religion, descent or national or ethnic origin.
The IT companies’ commitment includes the establishment of internal procedures and staff training to guarantee that a majority of illegal content is assessed and, where necessary, removed within 24 hours.
They will also strengthen their partnerships with civil society organisations who are the main actors in flagging content that promotes incitement to violence and hateful conduct. This partnership will also support civil society organisations in delivering effective anti-hate campaigns to countering hateful rhetoric online.
The IT Companies and the European Commission have agreed to assess the public commitments in this code of conduct on a regular basis, including their impact. They also agree to further discuss how to promote transparency and encourage counter and alternative narratives. To this end, regular meetings will take place and a preliminary assessment will be reported to the High Level Group on Combating Racism, Xenophobia and all forms of intolerance by the end of 2016.
Ms Jourova says the agreement was important in that it helps “ensure that the internet remains a place of free and democratic expression, where European values and laws are respected.”
Twitter’s Head of Public Policy for Europe, Karen White, commented: “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.”
