Online Hate Speech Gets Swift Response: Eu

Online hate speech is getting a swift response from tech companies, according to a new European Commission report.



A total of 89 percent of flagged content is checked by IT companies within 24 hours, and 72 percent of this is removed due to illegal hate speech, said the commission.



This contrasts with 2016, when only 40 percent of the content was checked and 28 percent removed, according to EU Code of Conduct report.



"Today's evaluation shows that cooperation with companies and civil society brings results," said Andrus Ansip, European commission vice-president for the digital single market.



"Companies are now assessing 89 percent of flagged content within 24 hours, and promptly act to remove it when necessary. This is more than twice as much as compared to 2016."



Vera Jourova -- European commissioner for justice, consumers and gender equality -- also said: "Illegal hate speech online is not only a crime, it represents a threat to free speech and democratic engagement."



The EU Code of Conduct, launched in 2016, has been combating illegal hate speech with major IT companies such as YouTube, Twitter, and Facebook. -