One word. One image. One comment. Sometimes, it takes very little to trigger a wave of online hate. At a time when digital platforms are vital spaces for expression, violent or discriminatory speech spreads faster than ever – often disguised as a personal opinion, sometimes completely unpunished. How can we recognise these aberrations, respond effectively, and defend responsible freedom of expression? An overview of a phenomenon that concerns us all – addressed by BEE SECURE through concrete resources and support to better protect everyone in the digital space.
Freedom of expression is a cornerstone of human rights and a foundation of every democratic society. It guarantees everyone the right to share ideas – including those that disturb or provoke debate. However, this fundamental right is not unlimited. Its boundaries are crossed when words become weapons, fuel hatred, or incite violence.
This tension between freedom of opinion and hateful excesses raises a crucial question: how far can one go?
Fighting hate speech does not mean restricting freedom of expression. On the contrary, it means protecting the public space, preserving the dignity of all, and ensuring speech that is free yet responsible. The right to express an opinion comes with the duty not to harm others. Online, as offline, our words carry weight. It is up to us to use them wisely and to demonstrate civic courage by reporting potentially illegal content.
The use of the Internet has amplified the spread of hate speech – especially in times of crisis. Whether during the COVID-19 pandemic, in the context of international conflicts, or amid social tensions, hateful messages spread quickly – and their impact can be devastating.
The continuous rise in reports of potentially illegal content to the BEE SECURE Stopline shows that online hate remains a persistent issue that requires continuous attention: 124 reports in 2018, more than twice as many with 292 in 2020, and 448 in 2024.
The Internet is a public space where everyone can participate – by posting, commenting, or sharing content. But, like all public spaces, the Internet is also governed by laws.
At the European level, the Digital Services Act (DSA) comes into effect. It requires platforms, among other things, to take targeted measures to combat illegal goods, services or content online, thereby protecting the general public, especially minors.
Although there is no universal definition of hate speech, in Luxembourg it is regulated by the Penal Code. For a statement to be criminally punishable, it must incite hatred or violence against a person or group based on, for example, origin, gender, beliefs, sexual orientation, disability, or religion. This incitement must occur publicly – through spoken or written words, images, or posters. There are indeed forms of indirect racist hate speech that may not be punishable.
It is also important to remember that other countries have different laws, which can lead to complex situations – especially online.
Everyone can act against online hate speech. It’s not just about reporting – it’s about collective empowerment, meaning giving everyone the tools to defend and support. If you witness or are a victim of hate speech, BEE SECURE recommends the following steps:
Informing, acting, supporting—everyone has a role to play in keeping the web a place of respect and dialogue. Sometimes it starts with a simple question: “Can you really say that?” This is the reflection proposed by the website nohateonline.lu through the quiz “Däerf een dat soen?” (“Are you allowed to say that?”). Users are shown real comments from social media that were reported to the BEE SECURE Stopline, and they must decide whether or not they constitute illegal hate speech.
Additionally, the platform provides practical guidance to better understand the limits of online freedom of expression and refers users to stopline.bee-secure.lu to submit anonymous reports of potentially illegal content.
