Social media shifts 'will quash rights'

Rollbacks on social media fact-checking and moderation safeguards are reopening the floodgates of hate, the UN chief warned yesterday, saying the poisonous atmosphere would lead to free speech shrinking.

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Geneva - Rollbacks on social media fact-checking and moderation safeguards are reopening the floodgates of hate, the UN chief warned yesterday, saying the poisonous atmosphere would lead to free speech shrinking.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said people would become increasingly fearful to engage on social media.

"As fast-moving technologies expand into every aspect of our lives, I am deeply concerned about human rights being undermined," he told the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva.

Guterres said at best, social media was a meeting ground for people to exchange ideas in respectful debate. At worst, it could be an arena for combat and "blatant ignorance".