The internet is a powerful tool, and the ability to spread information so quickly to such a huge audience can often have unfortunate consequences.

Social networking sites have often been used by terrorist organisations to relay messages and entice hatred against certain individuals or groups.

But now technology companies - including Twitter, Facebook and YouTube - have come together to try and combat this, by signing a code of conduct to combat hate speech online.

Social networking sites have often been used by terrorist organisations to relay messages and entice hatred against certain individuals or groups. But now tech giants have come together to try and combat this, by signing a code of conduct to combat hate speech online

TWITTER, FACEBOOK AND GOOGLE SUED OVER HATE SPEECH The new agreement comes just a few weeks after three of the companies were sued for how they deal with hate speech. In April a French Jewish youth group sued Twitter, Facebook and Google over how they monitor hate speech on the web. The lawsuit was filed at a Paris court by the Jewish youth group called UEJF. The group claimed the companies deleted only a small number of posts flagged as hateful, threatening or promoting violence. Advertisement

The European Union has reached an agreement with some of the world's biggest social media firms on ways to combat the spread of hate speech online.

Under the terms of a code of conduct, the firms have committed to 'quickly and efficiently' tackle illegal hate speech directed against anyone over issues of race, colour, religion, descent or national or ethnic origin.

Among the measures agreed with the EU's executive arm, the firms have said they will establish internal procedures and staff training to guarantee that a majority of illegal content is assessed and, where necessary, removed within 24 hours.

The US firms insisted that following the EU rules would not compromise freedom of speech.

They have also agreed to strengthen their partnerships with civil society organisations who often flag content that promotes incitement to violence and hateful conduct.

The European Commission and the firms have also agreed to support civil society organisations to deliver 'anti-hate campaigns.'

The European Union has reached an agreement with some of the world's biggest social media firms on ways to combat the spread of hate speech online. Under the terms of a code of conduct, the firms have committed to 'quickly and efficiently' tackle illegal hate speech

THE CODE OF CONDUCT: WHAT THE COMPANIES WILL DO Under the agreement, the companies' promises include doing the following: Have clear and effective processes to review notifications regarding illegal hate speech on their services. Review the majority of valid notifications for removal of illegal hate speech in less than 24 hours. Educate and raise awareness with their users about the types of content not permitted under their rules and community guidelines. Provide information on the procedures for submitting notices. Encourage the provision of notices and flagging of content that promotes incitement to violence and hateful conduct at scale by experts. Provide regular training to their staff on current societal developments and to exchange views on the potential for further improvement. Intensify cooperation between themselves and other platforms and social media companies to enhance best practice sharing. Advertisement

'The internet is a place for free speech, not hate speech,' said Vera Jourova, the EU commissioner responsible for justice, consumers and gender equality.

She added the code of conduct, which will be regularly reviewed in terms of its scope and its impact, will ensure that public incitement to violence or hatred has 'no place online.'

The firms themselves say there's no conflict between their mission statements to promote the freedom of expression and clamping down on hate speech.

Facebook's head of global policy management Monika Bickert urged the company's 1.6 million users to use the site's in-built reporting tools in the event they find content they consider unacceptable.

Successive terror attacks in Europe, like the Brussels terror attacks at Zaventem Airport (pictured) and a metro station, underlined the need to tackle online extremism and hate speech, according to the Commission

'Our teams around the world review these reports around the clock and take swift action,' she said.

Twitter, which has been at the centre of much of the hate speech that's spread online over the past few years, says it will continue to tackle the issue 'head-on' along with partners in industry and civil society.

'We remain committed to letting the Tweets flow,' said Twitter's European head of public policy Karen White.

'However, there is a clear distinction between freedom of expression and conduct that incites violence and hate.'