We demand that social networks respect the laws of the countries in which they make a profit, the Special Representative on antisemitic, anti-Muslim and other forms of religious intolerance and hate crimes at the Council of Europe Daniel Höltgen told FENA.

Following the recent attacks on the US Capitol building, in which social networks played an important role, many European countries and EU institutions are trying to create a legal framework for the regulation of speech in cyberspace while making efforts to protect freedom of speech while avoiding censorship.

On that occasion, Höltgen said that it is necessary to raise awareness about the spread of illegal hate speech, such as Holocaust denial.

-I believe that we need institutions and international organizations to have more and more activities on this issue. That way, more people will be involved in those processes and that will help raise awareness- Höltgen told FENA.

Asked how he sees the situation regarding the regulation of social media in the next five years, he expressed a dose of optimism.

-There have already been major improvements. If we have strict laws, the platforms of social networks will start to react in a more responsible way because they will be faced with sanctions if they do not do that- he said.

He noted that the reputation of social networks is important because of the users and that this is one of the elements that can make them be more responsible in terms of the content they will allow on their platforms.

-All we want and demand is that social networks respect the laws of the countries in which they make a profit and take responsibility for the content that can be found on the- Höltgen told FENA.