EU Commission and Tech firms formulate online code of conduct

Manach

From a Slashdot Article

“Tech giants in conjunction with European Union are taking a stand to fight hate speech. Microsoft, Twitter, YouTube, Google, and Facebook have launched "code of conduct" aimed at fighting racism and xenophobia across Europe. The companies aren't legally obligated, but have agreed to "public commitments" to review the "majority of valid notifications for removal of illegal hate speech" in less than 24 hours, and make it easier for law enforcement in Europe to notify the firms directly.”
- https://yro.slashdot.org/story/16/05/31/1744233/microsoft-facebook-youtube-and-others-agree-to-remove-hate-speech-across-the-eu

On the one hand there have been many who wish to see the Internet as a place where while Free speech exists as an important right, is one that has to be held in balance to ensure that offensive material that could incite hatred is properly policed. On the other, there exists a more libertarian view of the Internet which existed since the days of John Barlow which emphases a more open and freewheeling system with the lightest of governance.

I am wondering what are people’s thoughts on this EU commission initiative?

K-9

I'd look at it as Google and Facebook having to take responsibility for content posted on social media and that is a good thing imo, content is what makes FB money after all. There should be some responsibility on them for stuff posted on their sites and they shouldn't be able to wash their hands of it.

Free speech isn't free imo, it comes with responsibilities.

BlitzKrieg

it's actually quite limited

Illegal hate speech, as defined by the
Framework Decision 2008/913/JHA of 28 November 2008 on combating certain forms and
expressions of racism and xenophobia by means of criminal law and national laws
transposing it, means all conduct publicly inciting 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.

http://ec.europa.eu/justice/fundamental-rights/files/hate_speech_code_of_conduct_en.pdf


So people like Gamergate etc actually have nothing to worry about since there is nothing there on Gender, so they can continue their campaign of hate without worry

neither do the gay bashing homophobes or transphobes as there's nothing on sexual preference either.

Not really a big enough deal to send 75 thousand twitter users across the world to run with the hashtag "I Stand with Hate Speech" which is just embarrassing.

Permabear

This post has been deleted.

Is the phrase/term 'inciting to violence or hatred' very well defined?

BlitzKrieg

Permabear wrote: »

This post had been deleted.

Thats because free speech is not good for business for twitter anymore, they are losing users constantly due to the high level of abuse and harassment that populate twitter.


Reddit is beginning to experience a similar issue.

Scofflaw

Deleted User wrote: »

Is the phrase/term 'inciting to violence or hatred' very well defined?

It's not entirely precise, but it's a reasonably well-tested legal concept. This code of conduct only involves a commitment by the tech companies to enforce online what already applies. In some ways, it's an admission by the national police forces that they can't police social media effectively.

cordially,
Scofflaw