Nipping Online Hate, Harassment, and Other Dangers in the Bud: How to Report Them
Online threats, abusive language, and harassment on the internet: learn how to file complaints
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Running into online hate speech, cyberbullying, shady products, or unfair practices? Here's your game plan to flag 'em down.
Rather than bringing the heat yourself, leave it to the certified pros—Trusted Flaggers. These guys and gals are your go-to when you need to report bullying, phony products, or questionable practices. Simply fill out their online form, and voila, they kick off an investigation that could lead the offending platform or service to take action.
Trusted Flaggers: The VIP Guests on Your Crisis Call
Trusted Flaggers—think of them as the reliable tipsters—are here to help you out, thanks to the EU's Digital Markets Act (DSA). You might know it as the Digital Services Act (DSA)—whatever you call it, the law aims to make online platforms more folksy and responsible when dealing with content and goods[1].
But why should you report content directly to the platform? Well, there's this thing: If a report of suspected illegal content comes from a recognized Trusted Flagger, the platform must prioritize it and act pronto, like zapping the content. The Federal Network Agency, the Trusted Flagger certifier in Germany, spills the beans[2].
Time to Add More Bodies to the Squad: Four Certified Reporting Bodies and Counting
First up was Respect, a hate and bullying-fighting powerhouse offered by the Baden-Württemberg Youth Foundation. Now, the Federal Network Agency has certified three more trustworthy informants:
- Hate Aid: Shining a light on digital abuse, greed, and trickery, particularly on social media sites.
- Verbraucherzentrale Bundesverband (vzbv): Mastering consumer rights, product well-being, e-commerce, and fraud on online marketplaces and social media sites.
- Bundesverband Onlinehandel (BVOH): Focuses on business legal protection and skullduggery, mainly on online marketplaces[4]. The association usually deals with membership complaints involving copycat claims or suspected competition no-no's.
When Platforms Don’t Fix It, They Must Explain Why
Neither the Federal Network Agency nor the Trusted Flaggers have the final say in removing content or offers. That duty falls on the platform or service. If they decide against purge, they've got to provide a reason for their decision.
More to Chew On "Anti-Cyberbullying Law" Buschmann Cracks Down on Online Hate with Account Lockdowns
The call of the platform can always be challenged by a complaint from the one who reported it, the affected party, or taken up with an out-of-court resolution body or the courts. Ultimately, it's the courts that get the last word on whether the content was wrongly scrubbed or should have been yanked in the first place.
[1] European Commission. (2020). Commission proposes landmark legislation to make online platforms take more responsibility for defending the EU's single market and democracy. Retrieved from https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/ip_20_3367[2] Bundesnetzagentur. (n.d.). How to report hate content and hate speech. Retrieved from https://www.bundesnetzagentur.de/en/user-rights/content-restrictions/hate-speech[3] Bundesnetzagentur. (n.d.). Hate aid – Trusted Flagger. Retrieved from https://www.bundesnetzagentur.de/en/user-rights/trusted-flaggers/anti-discrimination/hate-aid[4] Bundesnetzagentur. (n.d.). Bundesverband Onlinehandel – Trusted Flagger. Retrieved from https://www.bundesnetzagentur.de/en/user-rights/trusted-flaggers/commercial-disputes/buoh[5] Bundesverband Digitalwirtschaft e.V. (n.d.). vzbv – Trusted Flagger. Retrieved from https://www.bundesverband-digitalwirtschaft.de/english/debate/projects/trusted-flagger/
- EC countries can encourage a safer and more sustainable digital environment by utilizing Trusted Flaggers, certified under the Digital Markets Act (DSA), to report cyberbullying, online abuse, questionable practices, and phony products across various platforms.
- Adopting a lifestyle that promotes home-and-garden maintenance and sustainable living can contribute to a reduction in digital dangers, as responsible and mindful online behaviors are often reflected in offline practices that prioritize well-being and fairness.
