X, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube sign EU code to tackle hate speech

Meta, Google, TikTok and X have pledged to European lawmakers that they will do more to prevent and remove illegal hate speech on their platforms. The European Commission is integrated Revised set of voluntary commitments The Digital Services Act (DSA) came into effect on Monday which aims to help platforms “demonstrate their compliance” with the DSA’s obligations regarding moderation of illegal content.

Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitch, X, YouTube, Snapchat, LinkedIn, Dailymotion, Jeuxvideo.com, Rakuten Viber and Microsoft-hosted consumer services have signed on toCode of Conduct on Combating Illegal Hate Speech Online“- which is not a streaming service with a terrible name but an update to Code 2016. The revised law requires signatories to be transparent about detecting and reducing hate speech, allow third-party monitors to evaluate how platforms review hate speech notices, and review “at least two-thirds of hate speech notices” within 24 hours.

“Hate and polarization pose threats to EU values ​​and fundamental rights and undermine the stability of our democracies. The Internet amplifies the negative effects of hate speech,” EU Commissioner Michael McGrath said in a statement. “We are confident that the Code of Conduct+ will play its part in ensuring a strong response.”

The EU’s codes of conduct are voluntary commitments and companies face no penalties if they decide to renege on the agreement, as Elon Musk did with… X (then known as Twitter) in 2022 When the company withdrew from the Misrepresentation Code of Practice.