French MPs on July 4 backed a bill giving online platforms just 24 hours to remove hate speech or face hefty fines, the latest initiative in Europe to tackle online racism, anti-Semitism, sexism and homophobia. Social media sites that fail to comply with the law risk fines of up to €1.25 million ($1.4 million). Critics say the law places too much power in the platforms’ hands by making them arbiters of online speech. MPs debated the bill late into the night Wednesday to try to agree on what constitutes “obviously hateful” messages or videos. | Photo Credit: AFPThey agreed to include condoning crimes against humanity, but not hateful comments about the state of Israel.

Source: The Hindu July 04, 2019 14:02 UTC