U.S. Internet giants Facebook Inc., Twitter Inc., Google and Microsoft Corp. pledged to tackle online hate speech in less than 24 hours as part of a joint commitment with the European Union to combat the use of social media by terrorists. Beyond national laws that criminalize hate speech, there is a need to ensure such activity by Internet users is “expeditiously reviewed by online intermediaries and social media platforms, upon receipt of a valid notification, in an appropriate time-frame,” the companies and the European Commission said in a joint statement on Tuesday. The code of conduct arrives as Europe comes to terms with the bloody attacks in Paris and Brussels by Islamic State, which has used the Web and social media to spread its message of hate against its enemies. The companies said it remains a “challenge” to strike the right balance between freedom of expression and hate speech in the self-generated content on online platforms. “We remain committed to letting the Tweets flow,” said Twitter’s head of public policy for Europe, Karen White, in the statement. “However, there is a clear distinction between freedom of expression and conduct that incites violence and hate.” http://www.bloomberg.com/news/artic...-to-tackle-online-hate-speech-within-24-hours
interesting to think about, are companies within reason to ban people saying they want to kill somebody on their platform?
You just gotta do like Sideshow Bob. He listed which Simpsons he wasn't going to kill and left out Bart.
Sure. If government takes over, then it's not OK. A company is private and they can set their own rules. They also have to be able to mitigate any potential lawsuits.
Looks like I'm going to have to go online and take down onspiracy laced rants about Man United and the media. You can't stop the truth, f-ckers..... I know the Agenda! Death before I wear red!
Ironic. To Denny's point about private companies. They better be using private property for the entirety of their business with the public. If they are using government right of ways they should be made to allow anything that is legal available on their networks. Who are they to decide what I can type on my phone? They buy spectrum rights from our govt, no?
It seems to me that the Facebook's and twitters can make the rules as they see fit for business reasons. I can use them or decide not to use them as I have already done. I don't see a good reason to use them, what they provide doesn't have a value to me. The government however, has no business to pursue or clients please. Any thing they do will be hard up against the first amendment.
Yup. I stay away from social media, and lately, ive been thinking about unplugging the tv and phone all together. Id still need a cell phone for work unfortunately but i could get some burner with 100 minutes on it for that.
Yep!, I haul around an old LG Tracfone with some minutes and Nettalk unit to plug in when I have Internet on a Verizon USB data stick on a prepaid card.
