Brussels: The European Commission, in collaboration with the European Board for Digital Services, has announced the integration of the revised Code of Conduct on countering illegal hate speech online into the Digital Services Act (DSA). This integration aims to enhance the voluntary efforts of online platforms to address the risks associated with illegal hate speech.
According to Cyprus News Agency, the revised Code of Conduct, known as Code of Conduct+, has been endorsed by major online platforms including Dailymotion, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Microsoft, Snapchat, TikTok, Twitch, and YouTube. This initiative strengthens the measures these platforms must take to comply with EU and national laws against illegal hate speech, thereby supporting the enforcement of the DSA.
The Code of Conduct+ requires signatory platforms to allow monitoring by designated entities with expertise in identifying hate speech, review a significant portion of hate speech notices promptly, and engage in transparent practices to curb hate speech. Platforms are also encouraged to collaborate with civil society to raise user awareness about illegal content.
The Commission and the European Board for Digital Services have also recommended that platforms provide detailed reports on the measures taken against hate speech and include country-specific data to track progress. This integration is part of the broader efforts to ensure platforms’ transparency and accountability. The Commission and the Board will continuously monitor the progress and facilitate regular reviews of the Code.
The initiative underscores the EU’s commitment to upholding human dignity and fundamental rights by curbing the spread of hate speech, which poses a threat to democracy and societal values. The move aligns with the EU’s legal framework requiring member states to criminalize hate speech and violence incitement, and further supports ongoing legislative efforts to combat hate crimes and speech across Europe.