• Source:JND
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Hate Speech Moderation: We are living in the era of the internet and with social media platforms on an unprecedented rise, and with this, the sharing of messages, thoughts and feelings is easier than it could ever have been, and this is true not just for local communication but also for sharing information globally.

However, not all news is good and this rise of social media has given enough space for harmful practices to take place. For instance, in recent years we have seen hate speech and incitement to violence have become prevalent issues, and this comes against the backdrop of individuals having the power to broadcast their messages to a huge audience. This has led to growing concerns about the management of illegal content and how it can be dealt with.

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In a major step to tackle the issue, Meta, Google, TikTok, and X have pledged to European lawmakers to intensify efforts against illegal hate speech on their platforms. On Monday, the European Commission incorporated these pledges into the updated voluntary commitments under the Digital Services Act (DSA). This revision aims to offer platforms clearer guidance on complying with DSA rules regarding the moderation of illegal content, according to The Verge.

Platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, Snapchat, LinkedIn and many others have signed a "Code of Conduct on Countering Illegal Hate Speech Online Plus." This bill builds on its previous version and outlines new standards for combating harmful hate speech. The updated code mandates more transparency in hate speech detection and removal, it also mandates that platforms allow third-party audits to assess their speech moderation, and requires them to review at least two-thirds of hate speech reports within 24 hours of submission.

EU Commissioner Michael McGrath emphasized the importance of these new pledges, stating, "Hatred and polarisation threaten EU values and fundamental rights and undermine the stability of our democracies. The internet is amplifying the negative effects of hate speech." He expressed optimism that the revised code would help address this growing issue, as reported by The Verge.

Although the Code of Conduct remains voluntary, companies are not penalized for opting out. This mirrors a previous instance in 2022 when Elon Musk pulled X from the Code of Practice on Disinformation. The success of these updated commitments will rely on whether these platforms stay true to their promises.

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