Ireland announces drastic measures against social media companies that don't remove hate speech

Published at: 18/08/2024 09:28 PM

The Government of Ireland is taking strong action against hate speech and harmful content on the Internet within the framework of its Criminal Justice (Incitement to Violence or Hate and Hate Crimes) Bill, which seeks to update the Prohibition of Hate Incitement Act 1989.

Under the proposed legislation, executives of social media companies will be held personally responsible for delays in removing hateful and hostile content from their digital platforms, explains the news portal Euro News.

In the coming months, the code could become law and as a result companies face fines of many millions of euros for violations. James Lawless, Secretary of State for Climate and Communications, said that “it is necessary for social media companies to assume some responsibility for what is published on their platforms.”

The measures accelerated when Irish ministers received an increase in online threats. The head of the Irish Government, Simon Harris, is believed to have created a sense of urgency to take drastic action against social media companies.

Mazo News Team