French Officials Press Social Media Platforms on Swift Moderation of Hate Speech
In a tense atmosphere, a critical meeting was held on Monday, June 2, between officials from major social media platforms such as Meta, TikTok, and X, and the French government. The gathering aimed to address the urgent need for more rigorous moderation of hateful content, with ministers emphasizing that such platforms need clear rules to protect users, particularly the younger generation.
Government’s Agenda and Key Concerns
The meeting saw the attendance of Minister for Equality between Women and Men Aurore Bergé, Minister Delegate for Digital Clara Chappaz, and other high-ranking officials. Their primary focus was to underscore the platforms’ legal obligations under French and European Union frameworks to combat hate speech, including cyberbullying, anti-Semitic, racist, and gender-biased content.
“These contents destroy the youth and have real-life consequences,” denounced Aurore Bergé on BFMTV.
Clear Rules for Content Moderation
During the discussion, Aurore Bergé stressed the necessity for platforms to adhere strictly to the Digital Services Act, which came into effect on August 25, 2023. The Act mandates large web platforms to combat problematic content effectively, threatening them with fines of up to 6% of their turnover for non-compliance.
“These clear rules will be sent this week and specified in the general conditions of use of these sites,” Bergé said, highlighting that the current ambiguity is unacceptable.
Coordinated Efforts Across Platforms
Several officials at the meeting were criticized for their inability to clearly outline the criteria for user bans or to provide immediate solutions. Bergé lamented, “After a first hateful content, you shouldn’t get a second or third chance.” The need for coordinated action across platforms to effectively neutralize problematic users was underscored, as currently, banned users can easily migrate to other platforms.
Future Commitments and Enforcement
Bergé threatened legislative changes if platforms did not comply, reaffirming Emmanuel Macron’s commitment to digital safety for the youth. Another meeting is scheduled before mid-July to assess the platforms’ progress.
“If the particularly problematic users who have been reported to them are not banned, the law will change,” she warned.
Proactive Reporting and Justice
The government has already reported videos from problematic users to the Pharos online content report platform and reserved the right to seek legal action against individuals and platforms involved in spreading violence and hatred.
As the digital landscape continues to evolve, the French government and major social media platforms find themselves in a crucial race against time. The upcoming months will determine how effectively these entities can implement the necessary measures to ensure the safety of users, especially the most vulnerable.
archyde.com will keep you updated on the latest developments in this ongoing battle to clean up digital spaces and protect the next generation online. Stay tuned for more!
