SHARE
SHARE
As long as tech companies allow extremism, hate, and racism to proliferate on their platforms, they will continue to be complicit in the growth of dangerous far-right movements, the rise of violent extremism, and the weakening of democracies. The Putin regime’s propaganda and disinformation spreading over all the tech platforms is the latest example, but just the tip of the iceberg in terms of the problem. Tech companies could adopt solutions that would protect their users and democracies, but they would require them to have the will to put safety and humanity above their billions of dollars in profits.
Given the reach of the major technology platforms, it’s critical that they reform and enforce their policies to better protect their consumers and develop the language and cultural competency that is critical to the safety of communities and democracies. Google dominates with more than a 90 percent share of global search engine users. Facebook has nearly 3 billion users; YouTube has more than 2 billion; TikTok has more than a billion, and Twitter more than 300 million. These companies must ensure accuracy and transparency in their policies and algorithms and not give haters, extremists, and authoritarian politicians a platform to divide people, spread lies, or encourage violence toward marginalized communities.
GPAHE recently joined INACH, of which we are a proud member, for a discussion about our work and how to reduce online hate.