Hate speech against Roma is not only common in Europe's digital spaces—it is tolerated. While social media companies claim to fight online hate, new findings from the TAAO – Together to Fight Antigypsyism Online - project reveal a disturbing truth: platforms consistently ignore or refuse to remove antigypsyist content, even when it clearly violates their own policies.

Between October and December 2024, monitors across six countries documented hundreds of cases of antigypsyist hate speech on platforms like Facebook, TikTok, YouTube, Instagram, and X (former Twitter). The results paint a bleak picture: most reported content remained online. Instagram and YouTube, in particular, failed to take action on any reported antigypsyist hate speech.

"We reported multiple posts that clearly violated community standards, but most were ignored. The platforms claim to fight hate speech, but their inaction tells a different story." — TAAO monitor, Germany

This pattern raises an urgent question: Why do social media giants refuse to treat antigypsyism as seriously as other forms of hate speech?

Antigypsyist hate speech: Everywhere, yet ignored

The TAAO monitoring project, conducted in Hungary, Slovakia, Germany, Czechia, Bulgaria, and Romania, documented thousands of antigypsyist comments, memes, videos, and news articles shared online. The hate speech included:

1. Direct calls for violence against Roma individuals.
2. Racist stereotypes portray Roma as criminals, parasites, or a burden on society.
3. Mockery and dehumanisation often disguised as humour.
4. Misinformation about Roma communities fueling discrimination.

Yet, when these cases were flagged to social media platforms, the response was clear: silence.

📉 Platform inaction in numbers

1. Instagram and YouTube removed 0 reported cases across multiple countries.
2. Facebook deleted just one case in several months of monitoring.
3. X ignored nearly all reports.
4. TikTok saw the highest volume of antigypsyist content but did little to moderate it.

This is not an accident. It is a systemic failure—a double standard that treats hate against Roma as less severe than other forms of racism.

Why is hate against Roma treated differently?

Social media platforms have made progress in moderating antisemitism, Islamophobia, homophobia, and misogyny—but they rarely take antigypsyism seriously. There are several reasons why:

1. Lack of public pressure – Unlike other forms of hate, antigypsyism is rarely discussed in mainstream media or politics. Without mass public outrage, platforms feel little urgency to act.
2. Low corporate awareness – Tech companies have poor internal expertise on antigypsyism. While there are established policies on antisemitism and racism in general, Roma-specific hate speech is often overlooked.
3. Weak EU regulation – Although the EU has laws against hate speech, enforcement is inconsistent. Tech companies know they can get away with ignoring antigypsyist content because they rarely face legal consequences.
4. Algorithmic bias – Social media algorithms amplify controversial content, including hate speech. Videos mocking Roma communities often go viral, racking up millions of views before any action is taken—if it is taken at all.

Case study: Instagram's viral hate post in Czechia

In October 2024, an Instagram user posted: "How I wake up knowing I'm not a gypsy." The post attracted 2.9 million views and over 1,200 comments, many supporting antigypsyist rhetoric. Instagram was informed, but they refused to take it down.

This is the reality of online antigypsyism: it is profitable, it is tolerated, and it is ignored by those who should be stopping it.

What Needs to Change?

💡 1. The EU must enforce stronger regulations

The Digital Services Act (DSA) offers an opportunity to hold tech companies accountable. EU institutions must explicitly recognise antigypsyism as a form of hate speech requiring serious enforcement. Companies that fail to remove antigypsyist content should face fines—just as they do for allowing terrorist propaganda or child exploitation.

💡 2. Platforms must be held to their own policies

Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube all claim to ban hate speech based on race and ethnicity. Yet, as the TAAO project proves, they routinely ignore reports of antigypsyism. Tech companies must train moderators to recognise and act on antigypsyist hate speech just as they do for other forms of racism.

💡 3. Civil society and users must apply pressure

Change happens when platforms are shamed into action. We must amplify social media giants' failures, expose their inaction, and demand accountability. Public campaigns, media coverage, and direct engagement with policymakers can force tech companies to stop ignoring antigypsyism.

💡 4. Education and awareness are key

Many people—even those working in tech moderation—do not understand the history and consequences of antigypsyism. Incorporating Roma history and discrimination into digital literacy programs can help challenge stereotypes and push for better content moderation policies.

Silence is complicity

Social media companies have the power to stop the spread of antigypsyist hate speech—but they choose not to. By refusing to act, they allow dangerous stereotypes to flourish, reinforcing discrimination that affects real lives.

We cannot allow this double standard to continue. If tech giants truly care about stopping online hate, they must start taking antigypsyism as seriously as any other form of racism.

It's time to hold them accountable.