Jonathan Vick, North American Representative,
International Network Against Cyber Hate (INACH)
The promise of the threat posed by unbridled internet
content has come to fruition. As a member of the internet safety community,
along with many colleagues, this has not come as a surprise. We alerted the platforms that comment sections
and public forums showed warning signs of exploitation and dangerous abuse more
than 10 years ago. Despite outcries over
Donald Trump’s hate-enabling rhetoric and dog-whistle propaganda from irresponsible
media outlets who were focused on ratings, actions against this nascent, yet
obvious hate speech, never happened in most corners of the internet. Let us call it opportunistic negligence by
leading internet industry leaders. Too
many companies followed their example and too few companies voiced outrage.
After the attempted coup of 1/6/2021, belatedly, sadly, some
things have finally happened.
The internet’s opportunity at redemption may have arrived.
Will it be embraced?
I am not talking about censorship, government oversight, or laws
allowing crippling lawsuits. I am talking about the internet industry acting as
a cohesive group where primary standards are discussed and agreed. Where the
impact of content is studied openly. The protection of marginalized communities
and the good of society should be enshrined as industry policy, not as an advertising
slogan.
We have seen powerful, and evil people abuse a powerful
medium for their own ends. This should not have happened. It can be prevented from
happening again, but only if the internet industry is brave enough to seek
redemption and commit to it.
