GETTY Jean-Claude Juncker's EU Commission has launched a crackdown on online 'hate speech'

FREE now and never miss the top politics stories again. SUBSCRIBE Invalid email Sign up fornow and never miss the top politics stories again. We will use your email address only for sending you newsletters. Please see our Privacy Notice for details of your data protection rights.

Brussels bureaucrats are launching a flagship blitz on what they term ‘hate speech’ on social networks such as Facebook - but critics warn it includes anything deemed contrary to the federalist project’s aims. It is to draft in an army of pro-EU censors who will have draconian powers to remove any social media postings transgressing the “current societal developments” promoted by the 28-nation bloc.

The EU has signed a deal with Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and Microsoft designed to curb the use of hate speech online that has been blasted as “ill considered” by the very people who helped draw it up. Democracy campaigners have warned that the definition of ‘hate speech’ is so vague the EU could end up with the power to get postings critical of the Brussels project removed from the Internet forever in what constitutes a “frightening path to totalitarianism”.

GETTY Critics have branded the plans 'Orwellian'

GETTY Big companies like Facebook and Twitter have signed up

Former Ukip MEP Janice Atkinson blasted: “It’s Orwellian. Anyone who has read 1984 sees it’s very re-enactment live.” Under the terms of the deal, cooked up by unelected bureaucrats at Jean-Claude Juncker’s EU Commission, the web giants are required to crack down on what Brussels deems to be ‘hate speech’ by “promoting independent counter-narratives” set by EU chiefs. The internet firms must work with Commission officials to build a “network” of “trusted reporters” who can flag up instances of ‘hate speech’ to be removed within 24 hours. They have also pledged to “support educational programs”, the content of which is likely to be determined by Brussels chiefs, which will be aimed at those accused of posting hate speech online.

GETTY UKIP's Diane James said the legislation threatens free speech

GETTY The revelations come just weeks before the EU referendum

This is unacceptable to a free people UKIP's Diane James

However, what constitutes ‘hate speech’ is not defined, and is merely said to relate to “racism, xenophobia and all forms of intolerance”. The deal states: “The IT Companies and the European Commission, recognising the value of independent counter speech against hateful rhetoric and prejudice, aim to continue their work in identifying and promoting independent counter-narratives, new ideas and initiatives and supporting educational programs that encourage critical thinking.” MEPs have warned the new deal raises the prospect of people who criticise migration or the spread of Islamist extremism across the continent being barred from posting online and even hounded by the police.

EU referendum Sat, February 20, 2016 With an in/out referendum on EU membership set for June 23 this year, we're taking an overview look of David Cameron's two-day visit at EU summit at EU headquarters in Brussels and his return to Downing Street to meet with his cabinet. Play slideshow AFP/Getty Images 1 of 21 British Prime Minister David Cameron speaks at Downing Street

UKIP Justice and Home Affairs spokeswoman Diane James told Breitbart: “This legislation is so vague that it is the thin end of the wedge not just curb hate speech but free speech as well. “This is unacceptable to a free people who have a right to know where all this legislation is leading to. “In my opinion, if the EU still allows to me have an opinion, I believe this matter should be decided by national parliaments rather than the unelected European Commission.“ Her scathing assessment came as the European Digital Rights (EDRi) group of democracy campaigners, which had been consulting with Brussels on the terms of the deal, pulled out of talks saying it was dismayed by its draconian content. The group of free speech activists blasted the initiative as “ill-considered and lamentable” and said they would play no further part in its imposition on the European people.