
Big Tech Signs Up For Hate Speech Code Of Conduct
In a significant move, major tech firms have agreed to take further action against hate speech online by signing a code of conduct aimed at strengthening the way they deal with content deemed illegal by EU and national laws. The companies, which include Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitch, Snapchat, YouTube, LinkedIn, Microsoft hosted consumer services, Rakuten Viber, Dailymotion, and Jeuxvideo.com, have committed to abide by the code of conduct as part of the European Union’s Digital Services Act.
The new measures aim to ensure a safe digital space for all citizens in the EU. Henna Virkkunen, executive vice-president for tech sovereignty, security, and democracy, welcomed the commitment from the stakeholders, emphasizing that cooperation among all parties is key to addressing hate speech online.
As part of the agreement, these platforms will be subject to an annual independent audit, with a focus on their compliance with the new code. Furthermore, they have agreed to work closely with non-profit organizations and civil society entities to develop effective strategies for combating hate speech.
The tech giants have also pledged to increase transparency in their efforts to reduce hate speech on their platforms. This includes implementing automatic detection tools to identify and remove illegal content, as well as providing regular updates on their progress.
Additionally, the companies have agreed to work with experts and civil society organizations to monitor trends and developments of hate speech online, and take swift action to prevent it from going viral.
Source: http://www.forbes.com