Joe Biden Administration Urges Big Tech To Reduce Antisemitism Content On Their Platform

JAKARTA - President Joe Biden's administration is urging major tech companies to step up efforts to reduce antisemitism content on their platforms. This was first reported by Bloomberg News on Tuesday, May 28. Representatives from companies including Alphabet, Meta, Microsoft, TikTok, and X met on Thursday 22 May with US special envoy Deborah Lipstadt, to monitor and combat antisemitism.

Lipstadt asked each company to appoint a member of the policy team to deal with the matter and conduct training for key employees to identify anti-semitism and report trends of anti-Yahudish content publicly.

"We welcome this meeting and are delighted to be able to gather to share facts about the steps TikTok is taking in addressing this important issue and continue to learn from the experts present," said a TikTok spokesman. Alphabet, Microsoft, Meta, and X did not immediately respond to requests for comment from the media.

Countries around the world have seen increased antisemitism after the Hamas attack on October 7 in southern Israel and subsequent bombings in the Gaza Strip by the Israeli military.

"The companies have not approved voluntary measures, but the government hopes they will act soon," Lipstadt was quoted by VOI from Bloomberg News. "The government has also asked staff training to help identify more implicit antisemitism messages on online platforms and differentiate between criticism of the Israeli government and hatred directed at Jews".

President of Global Affairs at Google and Alphabet, Kent Walker, stated, "Anticemism has no place in society and to overcome this requires efforts from the government, the private sector, civil society, and citizens. Google is committed to fighting hate speech including content targeting the Jewish community through our policies, tools and programs."

Similarly, the President of Global Affairs on Meta, Nick Clegg, said, "As we witness the alarming increase in antisemitism around the world, I thank Ambassador Lipstadt for organizing this timely and unique forum. More importantly than ever that governments, industries and NGOs are working together to support the Jewish community and fight hate and violence targeted at Jews."