Meta, Google, TikTok, and X have each pledged to European lawmakers that they will do more to prevent and remove illegal hate speech on their platforms.

The European Commission integrated a revised set of voluntary commitments into the Digital Services Act (DSA) to help platforms “demonstrate their compliance” with DSA obligations regarding illegal content moderation.

Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitch, X, YouTube, Snapchat, LinkedIn, Dailymotion, Jeuxvideo.com, Rakuten Viber, and Microsoft-hosted consumer services have all signed the catchy titled “Code of Conduct on Countering Illegal Hate Speech Online Plus”, which updates the 2016 Code.

The revised code commits signatories to transparency around hate speech detection and reduction, to allowing third-party monitors to assess how the platforms review hate speech notices, and to review “at least two-thirds of hate speech notices” within 24 hours.

EU Commissioner Michael McGrath said: “Hatred and polarisation threaten EU values and fundamental rights and undermine the stability of our democracies. The internet is amplifying the negative effects of hate speech. We trust this Code of Conduct+ will do its part in ensuring a robust response.”

However, these EU Codes of Conduct are voluntary. Companies face no penalties if they withdraw from the agreement, as Elon [look at me] Musk did with X in 2022 when he withdrew the company from the Code of Practice on Disinformation.