Making Fascism Cool Again! —> @VeraJourova @facebook @twitter @google @Microsoft <—-
— GayPatriot™ (@GayPatriot) May 31, 2016
@VeraJourova @facebook @twitter @google @Microsoft didn't Orwell write a book about this lol
— Terry (@TerryVentre) May 31, 2016
@VeraJourova @facebook @twitter @google @Microsoft Hail The Ministry of Truth.
— Tim Richards (@Tim0Richards) May 31, 2016
Looks like the Twitter Speech Police are partnering up with some fellow do-gooders to take down thought criminals once and for all. At least in the European Union.
Věra Jourová, the EU’s Commissioner for Justice, Consumers and Gender Equality, shared this piece of good news earlier today:
Proud to present an important agreement w/@facebook, @twitter, @google and @Microsoft on combating illegal online hate speech #NoPlace4Hate
— Věra Jourová (@VeraJourova) May 31, 2016
Wow, this sounds great, doesn’t it? Let’s read some more about it:
The IT Companies support the European Commission and EU Member States in the effort to respond to the challenge of ensuring that online platforms do not offer opportunities for illegal online hate speech to spread virally. They share, together with other platforms and social media companies, a collective responsibility and pride in promoting and facilitating freedom of expression throughout the online world. However, the Commission and the IT Companies recognise that the spread of illegal hate speech online not only negatively affects the groups or individuals that it targets, it also negatively impacts those who speak out for freedom, tolerance and non-discrimination in our open societies and has a chilling effect on the democratic discourse on online platforms.
By signing this code of conduct, the IT companies commit to continuing their efforts to tackle illegal hate speech online. This will include the continued development of internal procedures and staff training to guarantee that they review the majority of valid notifications for removal of illegal hate speech in less than 24 hours and remove or disable access to such content, if necessary. The IT companies will also endeavour to strengthen their ongoing partnerships with civil society organisations who will help flag content that promotes incitement to violence and hateful conduct. The IT companies and the European Commission also aim to continue their work in identifying and promoting independent counter-narratives, new ideas and initiatives, and supporting educational programs that encourage critical thinking.
So, what constitutes “illegal hate speech”?
“Hate speech.” https://t.co/6dRx95JXlX
— Kemberlee Kaye (@KemberleeKaye) May 31, 2016
"Illegal speech" #wrongthink #TotesNotFascist@VeraJourova @facebook @twitter @google @Microsoft https://t.co/KxTeL9W3fn
— CJ ن (@CJHerod) May 31, 2016
.@VeraJourova @facebook @twitter @google @Microsoft
Who defines what exactly '#HateSpeech' is? https://t.co/QVLnmxHmfL
— Nonjob (@Nonjob6) May 31, 2016
@pierremoscovici @VeraJourova Define "hate speech". And explain how this code won't be abused to silence people who disagree with the EU.
— Dave Ryan (@Batleth777) May 31, 2016
Who decides what is defined as hate speech?
The word combating offends me. https://t.co/83SyQi1avq— Casey Biemiller (@cbiemiller) May 31, 2016
.@VeraJourova @facebook @twitter @google @Microsoft
Who defines what exactly '#HateSpeech' is? https://t.co/QVLnmxHmfL
— Nonjob (@Nonjob6) May 31, 2016
As always, the question is: Who decides what is acceptable speech and what isn't? https://t.co/0I814gtiIm
— Kelly Jane Torrance (@KJTorrance) May 31, 2016
Guess that’s for them to know, and you to find out — and be punished for.
Utterly terrifying. https://t.co/gUgr2Zu5NW
— Ellen L. Carmichael (@ellencarmichael) May 31, 2016
This strikes me as utterly terrifying. Companies colluding with the government… https://t.co/sH2hagcqbd
— Mark Davin Harris (@markdharris) May 31, 2016
@VeraJourova @facebook @twitter @google @Microsoft there's no such thing. You're advocating control of speech. Authoritarian!
— Sunglare (@Sunglare) May 31, 2016
What a horrible fascist fucking thing to do https://t.co/4hC7nbInae
— Live. Freely (@BruceNV) May 31, 2016
@VeraJourova @facebook @twitter @google @Microsoft you mean silencing free speech. You tyrant
— Millennial Views (@millennialviews) May 31, 2016
"Proud"?
You should be ashamed of yourself for celebrating illiberal, authoritarian censorship of legitimate speech. https://t.co/3djccPQBgy— A Libertarian Rebel (@A_Liberty_Rebel) May 31, 2016
I don't recall electing you. What's the process for having you removed?
— Seal of Disapproval (@Vestra_Culpa) May 31, 2016
Another good reason for Britain to leave the EU: garbage like this. https://t.co/xtPafSzIoq
— Charles C. W. Cooke (@charlescwcooke) May 31, 2016
Be careful, Citizen. It looks like you have had too much to think! https://t.co/Yv5BXhMWm4
— Jonas (@JonasofOtt) May 31, 2016
@VeraJourova @facebook @twitter @google @Microsoft This is nothing more than censorship. Why are you trying to kill the culture of Europe?
— Ian R H (@IanRH64) May 31, 2016
@VeraJourova @facebook @twitter @google @Microsoft What you are doing is disgusting, you are killing free speech. This is pure censorship.
— Xekus (@Xekus) May 31, 2016
And by "hate speech," you mean "anything a liberal disagrees with." @VeraJourova @facebook @twitter @google @Microsoft
— BattleSwarm (@BattleSwarmBlog) May 31, 2016
@EU_Justice @VeraJourova This is a disaster. What about when criticizing the EU is deemed "hate speech"?
— Dave Ryan (@Batleth777) May 31, 2016
@VeraJourova @facebook @twitter @google @Microsoft I oppose your attempt to restrict freedom of speech. 'Hate Speech' can't be defined.
— An Gíogóir (@AnGiogoir) May 31, 2016
You're a piece in a tyrannical machine. silencing any opposing views. You shouldn't be proud of anything cog https://t.co/fotNYpXIRO
— Cory Justus (@cjmn83) May 31, 2016
@VeraJourova @facebook @twitter @google @Microsoft Unelected bureaucrats trying to censor, USSR style. Shame on you.
— Freidrich Goatse (@FreidrichGoatse) May 31, 2016
Big brother is watching. They will do whatever it takes to shut you down. #Brexit before its too late. https://t.co/UOlmeTpd5e
— LEAVE THE EU NOW !! (@muffman_murrin) May 31, 2016
@VeraJourova @facebook @twitter @google @Microsoft hate speech is a moving target. I consider your tweet hate speech. Delete.
— TransparentTrader (@OlBillyBitcoin) May 31, 2016
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Related:
‘Watch out for those scary opinions’! Twitter introduces glorified speech police
