New monitoring data from the TAAO project has revealed the worrying scale and intensity of antigypsyist hate speech on social media platforms in Bulgaria. Between October and December 2024, monitors documented 92 cases of online hate, exposing how deeply embedded antigypsyism is within the country's digital spaces.

A multi-platform problem

The research, led by the Integro Association, shows that the majority of antigypsyist hate in Bulgaria originates on mainstream social media platforms, including Facebook, TikTok, and YouTube.

Key figures from the monitoring include:

• Facebook: 36 cases from personal/private accounts.
• TikTok: 18 cases, with an additional 7 from online media outlets.
• YouTube: 6 cases from personal accounts and 2 from online media.

These platforms host a mix of personal posts, online media content, and influencer material, collectively generating and amplifying harmful stereotypes and hostility towards Roma communities.

The language of hate: brutal and blatant

The analysis of the 92 monitored cases demonstrates a high presence of explicit hate speech, including:

• Crude epithets: Found in 65 cases, with 37 considered extremely strong.
• Dehumanising utterances: Present in 55 cases.
• Mockery and sarcasm: Common in 71 cases, often used to ridicule Roma people.
• Appeals to violence: Detected in 34 cases, including extreme examples suggesting harm towards Roma individuals.

These patterns highlight the prevalence of not only discriminatory language but also incitement to hostility and violence.

Case example: News24sofia.eu on YouTube

One of the most disturbing cases documented during the monitoring period involves the News24sofia.eu YouTube channel. On 28 December 2024, the channel published a video mocking Roma passengers on a public bus, using deeply racist language. The video referred to Roma as "dark-skinned ticks" and perpetuated offensive stereotypes, such as implying that Roma do not belong in public spaces and exist only to exploit society.

Despite being reported to YouTube, the video remained online, accumulating over 12,500 views in just three weeks, with no action taken by the platform. As the Bulgarian monitor observed:

"Most of the publications from this channel are completely racist against the Roma community. The quality of information is poor, not objective, and uses hate speech just to generate views. This kind of fake online media is dangerous for society and should not be allowed to spread disinformation and cause hatred."

The failure of YouTube to remove such content, even after formal reports, underlines serious gaps in platform moderation when it comes to antigypsyist hate speech.

Countering hate: limited impact

In Bulgaria, counter-speech and reporting actions were documented but had mixed effectiveness:

• 84 out of 92 cases were reported directly to platforms.
• However, as the News24sofia.eu case illustrates, reports often did not lead to the removal of harmful content.
• Other counter-actions, such as exposing the author's tactics or critiquing arguments, were less frequently used.

Why it matters

This monitoring confirms that antigypsyism online in Bulgaria is not isolated but systemic. It thrives across multiple platforms, in various formats (from videos to memes), and with high levels of audience engagement. The case of News24sofia.eu is particularly alarming as it demonstrates how online hate can become normalised and monetised without consequences.

As the TAAO project progresses, these findings emphasise the urgent need for:

• Stronger enforcement of community standards on platforms.
• Legal frameworks to address digital hate.
• Greater public awareness and education about antigypsyism.

What's next?

Integro Association and other partners will continue to monitor and report cases while pushing for better protections for Roma communities online. However, lasting change will require action from social media companies, governments, and civil society to work together to dismantle the digital infrastructure that enables hate to flourish.