Online Hate Observatory: analysis for a better fight

The Online Hate Observatory, set up under article 16 of the June 24, 2020 law aimed at fighting hateful content on the Internet, is made up of operators, associations, government bodies and researchers involved in fighting and preventing online hate.

At its plenary meeting on Wednesday, July 8, 2020, Arcom defined the composition and missions of the online hate observatory, which are to:

• Analyze and quantify content relating to online hate;
• Work to improve understanding of the phenomenon by monitoring its development;
• Share information between the various public and private players involved.

Arcom acts as chairman and secretary of the online hate observatory. Observatory members form thematic working groups, summoned "colleges", to facilitate operational exchanges.

• College of operators
• College of associations
• College of administrations
• College of researchers

Reflecting on the concept of hate content: defining and expanding on the concept of hate content

The aim of this working group is to study the notion of hate content, in order to better define the scope of content that could be qualified as such, and to establish its essential characteristics. It will endeavor to develop a common definition. In particular, it may analyze the concept in the light of :

• the legal criteria established by French texts and the contribution of case law, without however limiting itself to a strictly legal approach to the notion.

• Definitions and criteria adopted in other countries, by international institutions and other players.

• Subjective criteria (in terms of the target audience).

• The contexts of content production and diffusion.

• Contributions from research in all fields on the notion of hateful content.

• Contributions from work and policies implemented in other countries.

Improving knowledge of the phenomenon of hate content

The aim of this working group is to carry out a practical study of hate content and its development. In particular, it will :

• Carry out a quantitative and qualitative analysis of the development of the phenomenon, taking into account the diversity of hate content.

• Provide a forum for the sharing of experience and feedback on new forms of online hate, as well as on developments in the vocabulary used.

• Compare quantitative and qualitative developments from a European and international perspective.

Analysis of diffusion mechanisms and means of combating them

• Analysis of the various mechanisms of digital diffusion and propagation of hate content, whether societal, technological, economic or other.

• Reflection on human and technological methods for detecting hate content and fighting its spread.

• A comparison with methods used in other countries.

Prevention, education and support for the public

This working group is dedicated to actions aimed at the general public, through :

• Exchanging best practices in media and information literacy, prevention and digital citizenship.

• International monitoring and comparison.

• Analyze and measure the impact of our actions on the public.

• Consideration of support schemes for victims and perpetrators.

Operators: Dailymotion, Facebook, Google, LinkedIn, Microsoft, Qwant, Snapchat, Tik Tok, Twitch, Twitter, Wikimédia France, Yubo.

Associations: Civic Fab, le Conseil représentatif des institutions juives de France (CRIF), e-Enfance, l'Association française pour le nommage Internet en coopération (AFNIC), Génération numérique, InterLGBT, La Quadrature du Net, la Ligue des droits de l'homme, la Ligue internationale contre le racisme et l'antisémitisme (LICRA), l'Observatoire du conspirationnisme, Point de contact, Renaissance numérique, Respect Zone, SOS Homophobie, SOS Racisme, STOP Homophobie, Institute for Strategic Dialogue.

Administrations: Conseil national consultatif des personnes handicapées, Commission nationale consultative des droits de l'homme (CNCDH), Conseil national du numérique , Délégué interministériel à la lutte contre le racisme, l'antisémitisme et la haine anti-LGBT, Rights Defender, Haut Conseil pour l'égalité entre les hommes et les femmes, Ministère de la Culture (DGMIC), Ministère en charge du Numérique, Ministère de l'Education nationale, de la Jeunesse et des Sports, Ministère de l'Europe et des Affaires étrangères (ambassadeur du numérique), Ministère de l'Intérieur (PHAROS), Ministère de la Justice (DACG), Ministère délégué chargé de l'Egalité entre les femmes et les hommes, de la Diversité et des Chances.

Researchers: Charlotte DENIZEAU, lecturer at the University of Paris II Panthéon Assas; Divina FRAU-MEIGS, professor at the University of Sorbonne Nouvelle - Paris 3 and president of the Savoir*Devenir association; Dominique TAFFIN, archivist paleographer, general curator of heritage and executive director of the Fondation pour la Mémoire de l'esclavage ; Hasna HUSSEIN, PhD from the Lebanese University and the University of Bordeaux, associate researcher at the Centre Emile Durkheim, director of the Association for the Prevention of Violent Extremism; Virginie JULLIARD, professor in information and communication sciences at Celsa-Sorbonne University; Frédéric REGENT, lecturer at the University of Paris 1 Panthéon Sorbonne; Jérôme FERRET, lecturer in sociology at the University of Toulouse 1 Capitole and associate member of CADIS (EHESS-CNRS).