Scotland’s First Minister Urges Social Media Giants to Act Against Disinformation and Racism
Date: August 12 2024
Scotland’s First Minister, John Swinney, has called on social media companies to take "immediate action" to combat disinformation and racism, following concerns that such content is exacerbating tensions in parts of the UK.
In a strongly worded letter addressed to X (formerly Twitter), TikTok, and Meta— the parent company of Facebook and Instagram—Swinney expressed frustration over the slow response of tech companies in removing "problematic" posts. His letter follows discussions with Police Scotland and faith leaders, who have voiced their concerns about the potential for unrest in Scotland, similar to what has been seen recently in England and Northern Ireland.
While Scotland has not yet experienced far-right demonstrations or counter-protests, there are growing fears of potential unrest. Anti-racism protests are planned for several Scottish cities on Saturday, with one already scheduled in Paisley on Friday.
Addressing the heads of social media platforms, the First Minister stated, "It is clear to me that social media platforms have a duty to take action to ensure that individuals in our society are not subjected to hate and threatening behaviour, and that communities are protected from violent disorder."
He emphasized the importance of stopping the spread of misinformation, saying, "Everyone has a role in stopping the spread of misinformation. You and your platform have a specific responsibility to do so."
Swinney has demanded that the social media companies provide detailed explanations of the measures they are taking to combat racist and hateful speech on their platforms. He insisted that "Given the seriousness of the situation, action needs to be immediate and decisive."
The pressure on social media giants has been intensifying in recent days. Former Scottish First Minister Humza Yousaf added his voice to the criticism, describing X owner Elon Musk as "one of the most dangerous men on the planet" during a talk in Edinburgh on Thursday.
Meanwhile, the UK's digital regulator, Ofcom, has also intervened, writing to social media companies to remind them of their obligation to remove harmful content and prevent the spread of dangerous communication.
The First Minister’s call to action reflects growing concern over the role of social media in amplifying hate speech and misinformation, with authorities urging tech companies to step up and take responsibility for the content shared on their platforms.