In an effort to address the growing concern of antisemitic content online, the Biden administration has called upon major technology companies to enhance their efforts in curbing hate speech targeting the Jewish community. 

Bloomberg News reported on Tuesday that representatives from prominent tech giants, including Alphabet (Google), Meta (Facebook), Microsoft, TikTok, and X (formerly Twitter), convened with U.S. special envoy Deborah Lipstadt to discuss strategies for monitoring and combating antisemitism on their respective platforms.

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• U.S. government urges tech giants to combat antisemitism on their platforms.

• Companies like Alphabet, Meta, Microsoft, TikTok, and X meet with U.S. special envoy Deborah Lipstadt.

• Rise in global antisemitism following recent conflict between Hamas and Israel.

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U.S. Government Urges Tech Giants to Combat Antisemitism on Their Platforms

During the meeting, Lipstadt made several recommendations to the companies, urging them to designate dedicated policy team members to tackle the issue head-on. 

She also emphasized the importance of conducting specialized training for key personnel to identify antisemitic content better and publicly report trends in anti-Jewish rhetoric.

In response to the meeting, a TikTok spokesperson expressed appreciation for the opportunity to collaborate and share insights on the company’s ongoing efforts to address this critical issue. 

Similarly, Nick Clegg, Meta’s president for global affairs, stressed the significance of government, industry, and NGOs working hand in hand to support the Jewish community and counter hate and violence directed at them.

Kent Walker, Alphabet’s president for global affairs, reaffirmed Google’s commitment to fighting hate speech, including content targeting the Jewish community, through their policies, tools, and programs.

The call to action comes amidst a global rise in antisemitism following the October 7 attack by Hamas on southern Israel and the subsequent bombardment of the Gaza Strip by the Israeli military. 

While the companies have not yet agreed to voluntary moves, the administration remains hopeful that they will take swift action to address the pressing concern.

In addition to the measures above, the administration is requesting staff training to help identify more implicit antisemitic messages on online platforms and to differentiate between criticism of the Israeli government and hatred directed at Jews, as stated by Lipstadt.

As the world becomes increasingly digital, tech companies’ responsibility to create safe and inclusive online spaces has never been more crucial. 

The Biden administration’s proactive approach in engaging with these companies demonstrates a commitment to combating hate speech and ensuring that the internet remains a platform for constructive dialogue and understanding.

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