Victory over Online Hate
Dear friends,
Social media can be a platform for the spread of love, compassion, acceptance, tolerance and human values which can benefit us all. Unfortunately there are those out there who use social media to spread hate, disharmony and attack others. I myself have been the target of such hate online for many years, especially due to my practice of Dorje Shugden which I received from my holy gurus. Even though I simply want to practice my religion in peace, I am attacked. Neither am I alone in this. There are many other Dorje Shugden practitioners, and even other people who are attacked online.
But there is some good news. The European Union authorities are holding social media companies accountable for illegal or threatening content on their social media sites. This means that they will ensure that such content is not kept up, but is dealt with in a timely and effective manner when people are attacked. While this is a long time coming, it is good news for those who have to deal with the attacks and emotional distress caused by those who bully others on social media.
Tsem Rinpoche
EU authorities demand changes from Facebook, Google, Twitter
By Julia Fioretti | BRUSSELS | Fri Mar 17, 2017
Social media companies Facebook Inc, Alphabet Inc and Twitter Inc will have to amend their terms of service for European users within a month or face the risk of fines, a European Commission official said on Friday.
U.S. technology companies have faced tight scrutiny in Europe for the way they do business, from privacy to how quickly they remove illegal or threatening content.
The Commission and European consumer protection authorities will “take action to make sure social media companies comply with EU consumer rules,” the official said.
The comments confirmed a Reuters report from Thursday.
Germany, the most populous EU state, said this week it planned a new law calling for social networks such as Facebook to remove slanderous or threatening online postings quickly or face fines of up to 50 million euros ($53 million).
People holding mobile phones are silhouetted against a backdrop projected with the Twitter logo in this illustration picture taken September 27, 2013. REUTERS/Kacper Pempel/Illustration/File Photo
The authorities and the Commission sent letters to the companies in December saying that some of their service terms broke EU consumer protection law and that they needed to do more to tackle fraud and scams on their websites.
The companies proposed some ways to resolve the issues and discussed them with the authorities and the Commission on Thursday, a source familiar with the matter said, adding that the meeting was constructive.
According to the letters seen by Reuters, some of those contested terms include requiring users to seek redress in court in California, where the companies are based, instead of their country of residence.
Other issues include not identifying sponsored content clearly, requiring consumers to waive mandatory rights such as the right to cancel a contract, and an excessive power for the companies to determine the suitability of content generated by users, according to the letters.
In the case of Alphabet’s Google unit, the concerns were about its social network Google+.
Google and Facebook were not immediately available for comment. A spokesman for Twitter declined to comment.
(Reporting by Julia Fioretti; Editing by Keith Weir)
Source: http://www.reuters.com/article/us-socialmedia-eu-consumersconsumers-idUSKBN16N2YI
For more interesting information:
- We Have to Be True to Ourselves
- Dorje Shugden people
- Tibetan Leadership’s New Anti-Shugden Video
- How shall I hate you today?
- Fantastic NEW Dorje Shugden website launched!!
- The Buddhist Divide – An Unholy Campaign against Religious Freedom
- Why so rude?
- They want to kill me
- Will the Dalai Lama agree with this?
Please support us so that we can continue to bring you more Dharma:
If you are in the United States, please note that your offerings and contributions are tax deductible. ~ the tsemrinpoche.com blog team
There are both positive and negative impacts of social media platforms. There is always a disadvantages and advantages of what we use it for. If we misuse it, it will be at risk, if we use it right, it can increase our knowledge or so. Beside the generally known benefits such as connectivity, education, information and updates, awareness, noble cause and more ,there are serious threats for individuals and society like addiction, cyber bullying, hacking, fraud and scams to name a few. The way technology is growing, it is obvious that more and more people are going to grasp its benefits.
Yet there are still some who use it wrongly attacking each other on social media. Its time for the authority to do something or speaking up against those misuse it illegal or threatening some one.
The European Union authorities are holding social media companies accountable for such doing, that’s a good news . Illegal or threatening contents , attacks and emotional distress on their social media sites should stopped. One good example is how Dorje Shugden’s practitioners been attacked on social media. Especially Tsem Rinpoche and Kecharians who are practicing Dorje Shugden were threaten and receiving abusive statements of all sorts. The authorities and the Commission should take stiff actions against abusers. Thank you European Union having the power to tighten the rules. May more countries or authority standing up against those abusers.
Thank you Rinpoche for this sharing.
Mantras are sacred verbalized words that invoke the protection and blessings of the deity to whom the mantra is ascribed. Mantras are also the manifestations of Buddhas in the form of ‘sounds’, hence the various mantras of Dorje Shugden contain the essence of the Protector.
Dorje Shugden’s main mantra 多杰雄登主要咒语
OM BENZA WIKI BITANA SOHA
Dorje Shugden’s mantra for peace 平和咒语
For gaining attainments through the energy of Peaceful Shugden, peace of environment and mind, harmony in one’s abode and dwelling area, and calming of disasters
OM BENZA WIKI BITANA SHANTI SIDDHI HUNG
Dorje Shugden’s mantra for health 福寿安康咒语
For long life, increasing life, healing of disease and protection from diseases
OM BENZA WIKI BITANA AYU SIDDHI HUNG
Dorje Shugden’s mantra for increase 增长咒语
For gaining great merits and increase of all necessary needs, both material and spiritual
OM BENZA WIKI BITANA PUNYE SIDDHI HUNG
Dorje Shugden’s mantra for control 控制咒语
Of worldly deities, negative people and nagas and for influencing friends towards the positive
OM BENZA WIKI BITANA WASHAM KURU HO
Dorje Shugden’s mantra to grant protection 庇护咒语
Visualize that you are in the Protector’s mandala, fully protected from outside interferences. Recite when in danger or for dangerous situations, for protection while travelling or when residing in dangerous/hostile places
OM BENZA WIKI BITANA RAKYA RAKYA HUNG
https://video.tsemtulku.com/videouploads/comment-1544345059.mp4
Dear friends,
Tibet has produced many powerful meditations, rituals and guidelines to help us gain spiritual protection, gain wisdom and higher states of consciousness. In general Tibet has produced many powerful methods for the growth of our spiritual evolution. Dorje Shugden is an angel, a saint, a powerful spiritual protector-warrior who originated 350 years ago when a highly awakened Tibetan Lama fulfilled his vows to become a special being to grant protection, wisdom, material needs, safety when travelling (normal and astral travel) and spiritual awakening. Both the Great 5th Dalai Lama and the current His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama composed short yet effective prayers to invoke upon the power and blessings of this special saint and protector. One can recite either one of the prayers that you feel suits you, anytime or even daily. When you feel a special need for help, you can recite either prayer anytime. When you are feeling down, afraid or just need a blessing, you can recite them. After reciting either invocation, it is good to chant the mantra of Dorje Shugden: Om Benza Wiki Bitana Soha.
You do not have to be a Buddhist or practitioner of any religion to invoke upon the blessings and protection of this special enlightened and awakened angel Dorje Shugden. He helps all without discrimination or bias as he is filled with compassion and love. Divinity has no boundaries, they help all who call upon them.
Enclosed are the prayers in English, Chinese and Tibetan.
May you be safe, protected and blessed.
Tsem Rinpoche
More on the Great 5th Dalai Lama and Dorje Shugden – https://bit.ly/2w7KHv6
More on H.H. the 14th Dalai Lama and Dorje Shugden – https://bit.ly/2QdaL4n
Chapel (Trode Khangsar) built by the Great 5th Dalai Lama dedicated to Dorje Shugden in Lhasa – https://bit.ly/2zBTd8M
—
亲爱的朋友们，
西藏产生了许多有助于我们得到精神庇佑、取得智慧和更高层次之觉悟的强大禅修法、仪式和教诲。总括来说，西藏产生了许多有助于我们在修行上取得提升的强有力方法。多杰雄登是一个天使，一位圣人和一名护法战士。他的崛起始于350年前，当一位高度觉悟的西藏高僧履行本身的承诺，化身为特别的护法，赐予我们守护、智慧、物质需要、出入平安（平日外游和神游时）和灵修上的觉醒。任何人都可以随时随地在任何时候念诵适合自己的祈愿文。当你需要特别的帮助时，你可以随时念诵任何一篇祈愿文。当你感到沮丧、恐惧或仅是需要加持时，你也可以持诵这些祈愿文。在念诵任何祈请文后，你应该接着念诵多杰雄登的心咒：嗡 班杂 维格 毗札那 娑哈 Om Benza Wiki Bitana Soha。
要祈请多杰雄登这位特殊、觉悟和觉醒的天使赐予加持和庇佑，你无需是佛教徒或任何宗教的修行者。他总是没有分别或偏见，充满慈悲和慈爱地帮助一切众生。神圣是没有界限的，圣者会帮助有求于他的任何人。
以下附上英文、中文和藏文的祈愿文。
愿你平安，常受庇护和加持。
尊贵的詹杜固仁波切
更多关于第五世达赖尊者和多杰雄登护法的内容 — https://bit.ly/2zsC3tG
更多关于第十四世达赖尊者和多杰雄登护法的内容 — https://bit.ly/2r4aaDN
第五世达赖尊者为多杰雄登护法在拉萨建造的护法殿（布旦康萨）— https://bit.ly/2zBTd8M
Divination (‘mo’) Text by Dorje Shugden
This is an important divination (‘mo’) text composed by Dorje Shugden himself. Dorje Shugden took trance of the Choyang Dulzin oracle lama, the senior oracle of Gaden Shartse Monastery, and instantly on the spot composed this text within two hours.
The divination text contains information on how to use dice to do divination for the future and is known to be highly accurate. When practitioners use this text, they will be in direct contact with Dorje Shugden to get answers to questions about the future. It is for those who have good samaya with Dorje Shugden and are free of the eight worldly dharmas to be of benefit to others in divining the future.
Tsem Rinpoche
DS-MO-choyang.pdf
Be blessed with these rare videos featuring explanation and advice about Dorje Shugden practice by His Holiness Kyabje Zong Rinpoche in his own voice. The teaching was requested by Geshe Tsultrim Gyeltsen, one of the earliest masters who taught Tibetan Buddhism in the West.
Video 1: H.H. Kyabje Zong Rinpoche Explains Dorje Shugden Initiation and Benefits (With English Subtitles)
Kyabje Zong Rinpoche was an erudite scholar, ritual master and practitioner of the highest degree from Tibet. At the request of Geshe Tsultrim Gyeltsen, one of the pioneers who taught Tibetan Buddhism in America, Kyabje Zong Rinpoche gives clear explanation and advice about the life-entrustment initiation of Dorje Shugden and how to go about the practice and get the maximum benefits in this video.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dzFMvlxAqtc&feature=youtu.be
Video 2: H.H. Kyabje Zong Rinpoche speaks on the History and Lineage of Dorje Shugden (With English Subtitles)
In this video, an erudite scholar, ritual master and practitioner of the highest degree from Tibet, Kyabje Zong Rinpoche talks about the incarnation lineage of Dorje Shugden and how the practice arose, with examples of Dorje Shugden’s previous lives that reveal his powerful spiritual attainments and contributions. This very rare teaching was given at the request of Kyabje Zong Rinpoche’s student, Geshe Tsultrim Gyeltsen, one of the pioneers who taught Buddhism in the West to many disciples since the 1970s.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sIzKSJgK618&feature=youtu.be
For more information: https://www.tsemrinpoche.com/tsem-tulku-rinpoche/great-lamas-masters/kyabje-zong-rinpoches-advice-on-dorje-shugdens-practice.html
His Holiness the 10th Panchen Lama
Tibetans commonly refer to His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama and His Holiness 10th Panchen Lama as the “sun and moon” of Tibetan Buddhism. They are the center of Tibetan Buddhist civilization, which draws to its sphere of influence millions of non-Tibetan practitioners. The Panchen Lama’s incarnation line began with the 16th abbot of Tashi Lhunpo Monastery, Lobsang Chokyi Gyeltsen (1570 – 1662). He was bestowed the title of Panchen Lama by His Holiness the 5th Dalai Lama after being declared as an emanation of Amitabha.
After being given the title, his three previous incarnations were posthumously also bestowed the title, making Lobsang Chokyi Gyeltsen the 4th Panchen Lama. He became a teacher to many Tibetans, Bhutanese and Mongolian religious figures, including His Holiness the 4th and 5th Dalai Lamas, and the 1st Jetsun Dampa of Mongolia. A prolific author, Chokyi Gyeltsen is credited with over a hundred compositions, including a number of commentaries and ritual texts that remain central in the Gelukpa tradition today. Along with his role as a teacher of the Dharma, the Panchen Lamas are usually responsible for the recognition of the rebirths of the Dalai Lamas, and vice versa.
The 10th Panchen Lama, Lobsang Trinley Lhundrub Chokyi Gyeltsen (19 February 1938 – 28 January 1989) continued both the spiritual and political roles of his predecessors. His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama, his contemporary, was even heard to say and echo the Panchen Lama’s own words that the Dalai Lama would safeguard Tibet from the outside while the Panchen Lama would safeguard Tibet from the inside, as he never left Tibet after the political troubles of 1959. He was truly loved by the Tibetans, all the way until his passing. When he taught, thousands of people would attend, not only from his own Gelug lineage, but masters and practitioners from all traditions of Tibetan Buddhism.
At his sprawling monastery of Tashi Lhunpo, he has a special chapel specifically dedicated to Dorje Shugden, where prayers and rituals are performed on a daily basis. In his great omniscience the Panchen Lama held Dorje Shugden as the principal Dharma protector of the monastery. He also personally propitiated Dorje Shugden among other Dharma protectors, and even wrote extensive prayers and rituals to Dorje Shugden. These rituals and prayers are contained within his ‘sung bum’ or collected works, which are provided here. As such a great lama, with an erudite and clear understanding of the Buddhist scriptures, a teacher to millions in both Tibet and China, from an established incarnation line and an emanation of the Buddha Amitabha, he could not be mistaken about his practice of Dorje Shugden.
His Holiness 10th Panchen Lama is known for his composition of commentaries and practice texts that are still in use by contemporary Buddhist practitioners both in Tibet and across the world. One of these is a powerful ritual composition propitiating the compassionate Dorje Shugden.
Upon the request by Acharya Lobsang Jangchub to compose a shorter version of the prayer (sadhana) for the exhortation of activities of Dorje Shugden, Panchen Lama immediately composed an abbreviate form of Dorje Shugden’s Kangsol. This text is entitled “Manjunatha’s (Tsongkapa) Lineage protector Dorje Shugden and five forms wrathful propitiations and confessional prayers and fulfilment of activities rites” or “Melodious sound of Accomplishment of the Four Activities” for short. Once the prayers were completed, he had signs and strong feelings that Dorje Shugden has been working hard to protect the Buddhadharma in general and the lineage of Lama Tsongkhapa specifically.
Mirroring the abilities of one of his earlier incarnations, Khedrub Je, a disciple of Lama Tsongkhapa and master of both sutra and tantra, the Panchen Lama used his compositional skill and poetic prowess to create a masterful sadhana. Worthy of note is a praise in which the first letter of each verse is a Tibetan vowel. Such compositions are rarely seen, and have historically only been used when propitiating senior Dharma protectors such as Palden Lhamo and Kalarupa.
The Panchen Lama also stated that while composing the Dorje Shugden sadhana (prayers) he was filled with a sense of happiness and bliss. He ends the composition with not only his official title but his ordination name, Tenzin Trinley Jigme Choje Wangchuk, endorsing the validity of his work. He composed the sadhana in his own Tashi Lhunpo monastery while in the Hall of Clear Light and Bliss.
See the Panchen Lama’s writings and download: https://bit.ly/2KIfeXb
For the first time available, Dorje Shugden and his entourage of 32 assistants of his mandala.
Dorje Shugden is a powerful protector deity who is also an emanation of Manjushri, a wisdom bestowing Buddha. Therefore, he has great ability to help us to progress further on the spiritual path. He does this by helping us to overcome obstacles and problems for the modern individual.
Due to his enlightened nature, Dorje Shugden is able to manifest 32 deities and within the same abode resides Setrap and Kache Marpo:-
1. 5 Dorje Shugden families or emanations. They consists of the following:-
– Dulzin Dorje Shugden, which performs activities to eliminate inner and outer obstacles.
– Shize, which performs activities to pacify all illnesses and disease.
– Gyenze, which performs activities to increase all desirable material and spiritual wealth.
– Wangze, which performs activities to control difficult people and circumstances.
– Trakze, which performs activities to wrathfully eliminate all insurmountable obstacles and life-threatening situations.
2. 9 Mothers. They represent protection of the five senses and developing control of the four elements. These are all attributes that signify their ability to assist tantric practitioners with their higher meditations.
3. 8 Guiding Monks. They represent the Eight Great Bodhisattvas (Avalokitesvara, Manjushri, Vajrapani, Samantabhadra, Maitreya, Kshitigarbha, Akashagarbha, Sarva-nivarana-viskambini) and they bring about the growth of the Dharma, through the Sangha, Dharma practitioners and Dharma establishments.
4. 10 Youthful & Wrathful Attendants. They represent the ten wrathful attendants to avert inner and outer obstacles. They are beings who are from Mongolia, China, Kashmir, India, Bengali, etc.
5. Setrap. He is a senior Dharma Protector from India and an emanation of Amitabha Buddha. He had enthroned Dorje Shugden as an authentic Dharma Protector. Therefore, he also resides within the same mandala of Dorje Shugden.
6. Kache Marpo. He is not an emanation of Dorje Shugden but he is still an enlightened Dharma Protector in his own right. He was originally known as Tsiu Marpo of Samye Monastery. However, he has placed himself under the service of Dorje Shugden as his chief minister, performing many activities in order to protect and benefit practitioners. Therefore, he stands guard at the main entrance of Dorje Shugden’s mandala. He often takes trance of qualified mediums to speak.
7. Namkar Barzin. He is the reincarnation of an old Mongolian monk and when he passed away in Phari area of Tibet, his spirit was placed as a powerful assistant of Dorje Shugden. He guards and protects buildings and great institutions especially those that benefit others. He rides on a mythical Gyaling animal that resembles a goat but with scales.
These sacred images are available on *Vajrasecrets. They are made of high quality alloy and are one of a kind. They are based on the lineage of His Holiness Panchen Rinpoche’s monastery, Tashilhunpo in Shigatse, Tibet. In fact, the iconography of these statues are based on detailed photographs taken by H. E. Tsem Rinpoche during a trip to Tashilhunpo’s protector chapel. These are based exactly as the 10th Panchen Lama’s personal collection.
Dorje Shugden mandala: https://www.tsemrinpoche.com/?p=131570
Dorje Shugden’s benefit and practice: https://www.tsemrinpoche.com/?p=62422
Dorje Shugden’s origins: https://www.tsemrinpoche.com/?p=106424
Dorje Shugden chapel in His Holiness Panchen Rinpoche’s Tashilhunpo Monastery in Tibet: https://www.tsemrinpoche.com/?p=68698
*Stand not included
Sakya tradition’s thangka of Dorje Shugden sitting on a throne within his palace with his four emanations and high Sakya Lamas nearby. Tsem Rinpoche
Antique Pelden Lhamo thangka with sacred Dorje Shugden at the bottom right. Can see Tsongkapa and Guru Rinpoche on the top also. Beautiful and holy.
Great message every Tibetan especially must read!
Everything has pros and cons, as well as social media. Social media basically help to deliver massages throughout the world. However, if we misused, it will cause destruction over others. Therefore, try to bring peace over one another through social media by posting informative information rather than other unwanted massages that may cause harm to others. Thanks Tsem Rinpoche for this wonderful and informative article. May everyone manage to control their desire to harm others through social media that may lead to social media bully and always bring peace to others. Om Mani Pad Mi Hum.
Social media have become an integral part of everyday life for millions of people. They can be valuable parts of our newsgathering and reporting kits and are excellent tools when handled correctly. Unfortunately, there are users who conveniently use social media to propagate one’s belief or personal view or even distort the truth or reality. Personal attacks on Dorje Shugden practitioners is an example of online attack which totally distorted the truth and make many people believe DS practice do harm to others. It will be best that we can just be observers on social media especially the group activity, rather than giving personal opinion. If everyone be a responsible user, then we don’t need any enforcement body like the European Union authorities to be the watchdog to take action on illegal and threatening contents. If we’re ethical and mindful while expressing personal views on public forum, then there will be less disharmony, less confusion, less controversy created and fewer people will suffer from unnecessary online bullies.
I think and feel the European Union cares tremendously and do not underestimate the power of speech. Speech can heal and speech can create hate, speech can create wars and conflict. We can never underestimate the power of speech.
But the enlightened and mindful governments of the European Union, have decided to put their feet down and not allow the spread of hate all over the internet. Continent Europe has one of the highest incidents of wars and conflicts in the world.
Finally, someone is stepping up on social media platforms to tighten their regulations against abusers. Rinpoche and Kecharians especially those on twitter have received quite a lot of abusive statements just because we practice Dorje Shugden openly and wish to share Dorje Shugden to those who are receptive. Just because you don’t agree with our choice of worship does not give you the right to abuse us. You can just ignore, avoid or have a friendly debate without vulgarities.
I rejoice that someone has decided to come down hard on social media companies to tighten their regulations especially twitter, which is well known for being lax at monitoring and controlling abusers and those that go against common decency and social media etiquette. I hope more will be done and applaud EU for stepping up the game against these social media companies.
When I heard this news over Reuters, it was like music to my ears. I thought to myself, “It’s about time!” I just wish it was 2 years ago then Rinpoche would not have had to endure the daily insults and condemnation.
The effects of allowing bad, negative, insulting etc etc comments, posts, articles and videos on social media is taking a hit in revenue. Check out this link:
http://www.reuters.com/article/britain-google-idUSL2N1GX1KP
I know that people have freedom of speech and expression, this is human right. However, when this is abused by humans there is nothing right about it. I am glad that EU takes the angle of consumer protection to protect people online. I am truly pleased.
To all those who think that slandering people online is your freedom, think again.
This is such a great news! Finally Twitter is taking action to those abusive users on their social media platform. Twitter has changed the way people communicate, message and information reaches people very fast. This can be a potential platform to spread positive messages to people to help this already very chaotic world.
However, many users are using Twitter to spread hate messages. I myself experienced the abuse too. There were also cases where people were bullied so badly that they committed suicide! However, Twitter didn’t seem to be so concern at all because abusive messages continued to spread and also because there’s no law to govern the social media company on matter like this.
With the new rules implemented by the EU to the social media companies, cyber bully incidents will definitely reduce tremendously. Bravo!
Thank you Rinpoche for sharing this article. This is indeed good news for Rinpoche and many others who are attacked non-stop daily for years. This kind of attack is very stressful for the person being attacked and harmful for the one attacking. Think of the karma that they’ve accumulated for talking bad things about Dorje Shugden (a Buddha) and a Lama (a monk who hold vows). I hope many more social media platforms will apply the same policy whereby the particular person’s account will be suspended once found talking offensive things about another party.
With folded palms,
Vivian
Wonderful news to note that EU authorities have finally taken steps to stop online abused.Well with these cut less misused of online disharmony and hate by some undisciplined individual.Nowadays there were too many fraud and scams going on social medias.Hence EU companies are trying to deal to solve fraud and scams,as well as user protection on their websites.
Our Precious Guru and many Dorje Shugden Practitioners was bullied on social medias too.Do hope with the tightenings of law will help to stop online bullies.
Thank you, Rinpoche for sharing .
In the past, slander and threats were carried out from mouth to ear. Then it was via broadsheets, flyers, books and magazines.
Then on radio and TV.
Now on personal communication devices not unlike in Star Trek.
The the principle of “Rule of Law” is where all people and institutions are subject to and accountable to law that is fairly applied and enforced. Hence it is high time and extremely important that this is extended to cyberspace and it has. It is most welcomed.
This is good news as I believe will the creating the cause for more disciplined and mature usage of all social media avenues. The EU has certainly taken the first and right step in hauling up the media owners to be accountable for contents. The social media companies will need to implement self policing and this giant step forward will hopefully contribute to lesser cyberbullying, etc.
This is some long awaited news actually. Got to thank EU authorities for this as many out there in this world wide web have suffered one way or another online abuse. I think it is easy for abusive people to simply criticise, slander, abuse, be vulgar against people whom they don’t agree with via online because there is no action taken against them just because people are supposedly entitled to their freedom of speech but this has proven people taking advantage of it. More so they set up fake accounts to provoke and mislead others about the victim.
Myself plus many other Dorje Shugden practitioners like Rinpoche suffered so much abuse on social media for standing up on what we believe. We would get all sorts of fake accusations and vulgarity from abusers for speaking up for Dorje Shugden. Despite countless petitions and appeals to Twitter it wasn’t removed. That did put us off for a while but we are glad that finally Twitter has finally come down and get their work done which is great.
I rejoice for this great news and may laws be made to protect people from being abused online. Online is powerful tool to connect but if it is not governed properly, more problems will arise from the freedom it was given especially paid cyber bullies.
It is a fantastic news that EU authorities have taken legal steps to curb the misused of social media. In this day and age, social media is a very powerful tool to reach out to many people but it can also be a very damaging tool if abuse the usage. We see so many scams, cyber bullying, sending wrong messsage, rumours and etc with so many negative intentions.
Hope this law will be implemented and everyone will be protected against unnecessary attack and scams. A fine if 50m Euro is definitely a stern message to social media companies to take action.
It is definitely a welcomed move by the EU as the lack of governance and protection to social media users have gone insufficiently addressed for quite a while now. Incidences of anonymous cyberbullying, defamation, fraud, hate crimes and criminal activities on social network have been unfortunately steadily growing yet the social media companies are presently not doing enough to curb and tackle this issue. Should the new laws be passed, the added pressure on the social media companies will definitely push those companies to factor in protection and governance accordingly. What must be borne in mind is that the effectiveness of such move is largely dependent on how such laws would be enforced. It would definitely be interesting to see how the relevant parties deal with the enforcement aspect. It would be good if it takes the direction similar to the recent proactive approach of German government. (Note that German government have indicated strong possibility of issuing fines “to the likes of Facebook and Twitter” up to €50m if they fail to remove slanderous or threatening posts that go up on the social network within 24 hours).
Today, social media has used the internet as a tool to be powerful, widespread and far flung in impact. That being the case, why can’t social media be used as a powerful platform to spread love, compassion, tolerance and other positive values that will benefit people?
However, sad to say, some people have taken advantage of the opportunity
social media affords to go under cover of anonymity and attack, defame and slander, and give vent to their hate and venom. Hence it is heartening to note that there is a new law that will be introduced by the European Union authorities, that will call on social networks, such as Facebook and Twitter, to remove offensive, slanderous and threatening online postings and to amend their terms of office for this and other related purposes. At least, we can now look forward to protection for innocent victims of such offensive and defamatory social media attacks.
Social media is a powerful tool. It can be used to benefit or to harm. Let us use it to benefit the world, to spread love, and create peace and harmony on earth.
This is indeed good news. It is the protection which is needed against innocent people who are bullied and slandered without even knowing who are the bullies.
Laws are made to protect and it is a very good example that the EU has set to legally bind the international companies who provide public media platforms to be more vigilant and responsible with what is published on their platforms. To do no harm to others.
One point that stands out for me is that these USA based companies can be taken to task on negligence in courts outside of their companies domicile of operations. This widens the scope for victims to make appropriate complaints.
In the age of social media, we now see a new kind of job scope that had not existed before, content moderation! This is a whole new industry that has mushroomed, mostly outsourcing cos. based in 3rd world countries where they hire cheap labour. The job scope is to sit for hours of sifting out content that can be highly disturbing, so that we are not potentially exposed to the internet’s panoply of jerks, racists, creeps, sadists, perverts, criminals and bullies. For instance, Youtube, Facebook, Twitter, Google, Cloud service providers etc. rely on an army of workers employed to soak up the worst of humanity in order to protect the rest of us.
The number of content moderators scrubbing the world’s social media sites, mobile apps and cloud storage services runs to “well over 100,000”, about twice the total head count of Google and nearly 14 times that of Facebook!
They have guidelines as to what constitutes offensive content that should be nuked. But I guess that might be subjective or there is too much to moderate that some of it escape their radar. I say so because we still see a barrage of profanity directed at our Guru and Dorje Shugden practitioners on a daily basis despite this.
A content moderator’s job is by no means a breeze. It might look fun to be paid to surf and delete. After hours of exposure to highly disturbihg material, almost all of them hit the wall generally between 3-5 months and get burned out and need to quit. There are also lasting psychological effects. In Buddhism, it is a fact that experiences through the 5 senses leave imprints in our mind-stream that does not get erased when we stop the exposure. The damage can carry over to future lives.
But on the flip side of it all, people must be aware that moderation is not done anonymously by machines. There are real people going through every single content we post on FB, Twitter, Instagram, Snapchat, email, cloud storage etc. Everything is accessible and your private email message might not be so private after all. As long as it is on the net, it is accessible whether you believe or not. User right protection is just in theory.
Therefore, for those out there who continue hurting, harming, bullying in any way shape or form under the cloak of anonymity, don’t think you are untraceable. Far from it. What you posted cannot be unposted and will come and bite you back one day.
This is fantastic news. At last the authorities step in to protect consumers on these social media platforms. A part from protecting others from cyber bullies, paedophiles use these platforms to meet underage children, fake accounts are used to cheat others, ISIS use it to communicate amongst their network of terrorists, and the list goes on.
Although these American companies may argue that it’s against the freedom of speech and media, I feel there should be some guidelines because social media is a new phenomenon. Without protecting innocent consumers, many will be victimised in the name of freedom of speech and media. Instead of supporting human rights, it will end up supporting terrorists and those who intend to hurt others.
I hope the rest of the countries around the world will follow EU’s footsteps.
Great news for everyone who are in the era of social media.
Most of us might not or may never face any problem from using social media, but many of our same kind have been attacked, bullied, criticised by CLOSED MINDED, EXTREME THINKING, SUPER EGO, and ZERO CONSIDERATION kind of human.
Yes.. it’s not our business, the pain is not on us, hence, why do we need to be busybodies to care about them?
But we should think right now! What if we are one of the victims? Would we want someone to pull us out from the quicksand or we will ask them to stand and watch us drown?
There are numerous of cases that caused millions to death because all of us stay silent, stand and watch it like a drama while eating Popcorn.
When we stay silent, we are indirectly encouraging things to happen. Speak up! Act now!
Good news that the EU authorities are confronting the issue that is a legal loophole used by many unscrupulous parties to threaten and cause chaos via social media platforms. With the law tightened, social media platforms will be held accountable for info published on their platforms that contain criminal elements; e.g. fraud or threats. It is about time for social media users to behave online and not turn them into hate platform. Thank you, Rinpoche, for sharing this good news.