The UK’s Secretary of State for the Department of Science, Innovation, and Technology, Michelle Donelan, has made a plea to tech companies in the UK. She urged these firms to lend their “capabilities and expertise” to assist Israel in the ongoing conflict with Hamas.
Donelan specifically requested support in countering misinformation, providing humanitarian aid, and financial assistance to the nation. This call to action comes after an “urgent meeting” with social media companies where she emphasized the removal of violent content related to attacks on Israel conducted by Hamas.
Urgent Appeal Amid Escalating Conflict
As the war in Gaza continues to intensify, Donelan’s letter serves as a response to the escalating situation. The death toll in Israel has reached 1,300. Donelan cited previous efforts by tech companies to support Ukraine during Russia’s invasion as an example of how the sector can make a significant difference during such crises.
Avital Alajem spoke to Anchor Anderson Cooper. “We were hiding in the closet and then the terrorists came and they bombed… the door… the bullets… they all entered into (his) body. So I was saved thanks to him. And then they pulled me out of the closet,” she said. Four days after militants stormed into Israel, bringing gunbattles to its streets for the first time in decades, Israel’s military said Tuesday morning that it had regained effective control over its south and the border.
Tech Sector’s Track Record in Crisis Response
The tech sector’s involvement during the Russian invasion of Ukraine highlighted its capacity to assist affected countries. Prominent tech companies like Zopa Bank offered sponsorship for work visas for eligible Ukrainian applicants, and Revolut provided support by relocating employees based in Ukraine and making donations to the Red Cross Ukraine appeal.
Social Media’s Role and Scrutiny
Social media platforms, including X (formerly Twitter) and Meta (Facebook and Instagram owner), have faced criticism for their handling of content related to the Israel-Hamas conflict. The UK government and the European Union have called on these tech giants to address the surge in violent and misleading content on their platforms. In response, Donelan summoned social media executives to demand the removal of such content. The EU also urged Meta to be vigilant about illegal content on its platform after the Hamas attacks.
Government’s Firm Stand and EU’s Enforcement
Donelan met with executives from X, Google, Meta, TikTok, and Snapchat to discuss measures to combat violent and antisemitic content. She urged these platforms to outline in writing their plans for removing illegal content and posts that violate their terms and conditions. Meanwhile, Thierry Breton, the European commissioner overseeing social media regulations, issued warnings to both X and Meta regarding compliance with the EU’s Digital Services Act (DSA). Violations of the DSA can result in significant fines and service suspensions.
Challenges for Tech Companies
Tech companies, especially X, have faced scrutiny for the spread of disinformation related to the war. Breton called on X’s owner, Elon Musk, to address the dissemination of illegal content and disinformation on the platform. He also emphasized the need for prompt responses to law enforcement authorities’ requests.
Nicky Blackburn, Editor and Israel Director at Israel21c authored an excellent article titled “What you can do to help Israel at this time” In this article, she provides a list of reputable organizations actively assisting individuals throughout Israel, emphasizing their need for ongoing support to continue their valuable efforts.
TL;DR
The UK’s Tech Secretary, Michelle Donelan, has called on tech companies to support Israel in its conflict with Hamas by countering misinformation and providing financial and humanitarian aid. The plea follows an “urgent meeting” with social media companies to remove violent content related to the conflict. Tech companies are urged to leverage their resources and expertise, as they did during the Ukraine crisis. Social media platforms like X and Meta are under scrutiny for their handling of content, with the EU warning of potential fines and suspensions for non-compliance with regulations. Elon Musk’s X platform is urged to take swift action to combat illegal content and disinformation.
Hi, I’m Oren, founder at BIGINTRO, a content strategy agency that helps B2B companies drive growth. We develop search, social, PR, and content marketing strategies tailored to business goals. I also have a dog named Milo.