Lawmakers in France have recently passed a draft law that seeks to target online hate speech by approving of fines for tech companies that leave that speech posted online. Companies like Facebook and Twitter, under new rules, are required to remove the hate content within 24 hours.

“What is not tolerated on the street should not be tolerated on the internet,” - Laetitia Avia, member of Macron’s majority at the National Assembly

What is considered hate speech? It would be any content that "incites terrorism, hate or violence", and such a broad definition can easily encompass innocent individuals, giving the government the authority to punish people for what should be protected free speech. Who is going to determine what is hateful? The government? The majority of the people? The victims? Private companies? The individual who is speaking?

For companies that don't remove hateful content they could be fined millions of dollars.

For a little perspective...

The French government, through their military, has had ongoing operations in Syria, Iraq, and elsewhere, which has caused violence, hate, and fueled further blowback and conflict overseas; with the risk of inspiring it back at home. Then, on the other hand, they want to take up the right to fine people who perpetuate what might be considered hateful content which could have the ability to incite violence. But what about all of the violence and terrorism that is inflicted upon others in the name of the government, why is that violence acceptable?

In the battle against hate speech, the government has failed to clearly define what might constitute illicit content, critics say that this then creates the potential for further state censorship.

The newly proposed law in France still needs to be approved in a final vote that isn't expected to take place until next week.

Pics:
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