WJC TecHRI and TikTok Dublin Partner to Tackle Online Antisemitism Through HO:PE Training

DUBLIN – Addressing the dire need for safeguards against online antisemitism, the WJC Technology and Human Rights Institute (TecHRI) led a security training session at TikTok’s Dublin headquarters from November 13 – 14. Technology experts and Jewish community representatives led insightful sessions with the use of TecHRI’s Hate Online: Preparedness and Empowerment” (HO:PE) tool to identify and report incidents that violate platform policies and EU national legislation.

The event began with opening remarks by TecHRI Executive Director Yfat Barak-Cheney, who presented the general context of what hate speech is and how to best combat it.

At the TikTok Transparency and Accountability Centre, Fergal Browne, Outreach and Partnerships Manager at TikTok, provided a firsthand look at the platform’s content moderation systems and dialogue on transparency and accountability measures. The participants also took part in a special tour of the center, where they experienced what it’s like to be a TikTok moderator by gathering information about the company’s practices regarding content moderation and removing hate speech and violent content flagged on the platform.

Following that, Inbal Goldberger, TecHRI Advisory Council member and VP of Trust & Safety at ActiveFence delivered an overview of the legislation and regulation of online hate speech both in Ireland and the European Union. Speaking on the evolving legal frameworks governing hate speech, platform responsibility, and legal enforcement, Goldberger emphasized that reporting all HO:PE-relevant content, and not solely what falls under legally defined categories like those in the DSA, is crucial for bolstering advocacy and understanding how antisemitism continues to evolve online.

Participants then engaged in an interactive session on the HO:PE Reporting Tool led by Máté Holler, TecHRI’s External Relations Manager, in which they navigated the tool’s various features and the reporting process, and reviewed interactive case studies while discussing the different ways that communities can leverage collected data for their Jewish advocacy.

The first day concluded with a debrief, as participants reflected on key takeaways and outlined the next steps towards implementing their knowledge into their advocacy efforts, followed by an informal dinner.

On the second day, the Jewish Community of Ireland convened for a review of what they learned the previous day before launching into collaborative mapping and strategic partnership activities. By the end of the day, participants developed short-term action plans to counter antisemitic hate speech online. The event equipped local leaders with practical methods to track progress, strengthen cross-sector collaboration and create meaningful impact.

The HO:PE training session reinforced a commitment to fostering sustainable partnerships and promoting inclusivity, empowering Jewish communities both in Ireland and across Europe to effectively address online hate and advocate for positive change.

Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor EACEA can be held responsible for them.