Specific WhatsApp messages in South Africa could lead to serious legal trouble, including jail time.
HATE SPEECH CAN TAKE THE FORM OF THESE COMMUNICATION
It’s crucial to understand the boundaries of the law when it comes to sharing content or making remarks on the platform.
President Cyril Ramaphosa recently signed the Preventing and Combating of Hate Crimes and Hate Speech Bill into law, criminalising hate speech sent on platforms like WhatsApp and social media.
According to a report by MoneyWeb the bill’s purpose is to provide for the offences of hate crime and hate speech and the prosecution of people who commit those offences.
WHATSAPP MESSAGES THAT CONSTITUTE HATE SPEECH CAN NOW BE PROSECUTED
The bill states that an offence constitutes a hate crime where the offender is inspired by prejudice towards a victim due to specific or perceived characteristics such as race, gender, sex, religion, and liability, among other things.
In comparison, the bill defines hate speech as intentionally publishing something that can provoke or promote hate.
The report furthermore stated that both relate to these specific or perceived characteristics. The bill provides an extensive list of characteristics, quoted below.
HERE IS A LIST OF EXTENSIVE LIST OF CHARACTERISTICS
Age, albinism, birth, colour, culture, disability, ethnic or social origin, gender or gender identity, HIV status, language, nationality and migrant or refugee status, occupation or trade, political affiliation or conviction, race, religion, sex, or sexual orientation.
Hate speech can take the form of any written, illustrated, visual display, utterance, representation or reference, or electronic communication.
As a result, WhatsApp messages that constitute hate speech can now be prosecuted.
Meanwhile, WhatsApp, has announced four new BIG changes that you should know of.
Four BIG changes for WhatsApp that you should know
Here are the four BIG changes that you should know of:
AI for WhatsApp Business
One of the biggest announcements was the introduction of AI tools for businesses.
“We believe AI tools can help businesses get people the help they are looking for and find new products and services as well. We’re introducing ways for any business to use AI on the most popular questions they receive so you can get the answer you’re looking for fast.
“We’re also integrating AI tools to create an ad to run on Instagram or Facebook and to help make sure businesses are following up with customers that want to hear from them – for example to remind people they left an item in their cart or offer a discount for a purchase they’ve been waiting to make.
“These tools should help users find the information they need efficiently,”
said WABetaInfo.
