Key Facts
Key Information
About
The Change the Terms Coalition is a collaborative network of civil rights, human rights, technology policy, and consumer protection organizations dedicated to combating online hate speech, extremism, and disinformation by pressuring major technology companies to strengthen and enforce their terms of service. Formed in response to the growing prevalence of hatred on digital platforms, exemplified by events like the 2017 neo-Nazi march in Charlottesville organized via Facebook, PayPal, and Discord, the coalition advocates for robust policies to mitigate the spread of malicious content. It works with global experts on terrorism, human rights, and technology to develop insights into how hate operates online and to propose actionable solutions, emphasizing the role of algorithms in amplifying harmful content for profit. The coalition's core policies were drafted over approximately nine months by a group of founding organizations, including the Center for American Progress, Color Of Change, Free Press, Global Project Against Hate & Extremism, Muslim Advocates, the National Hispanic Media Coalition, and the Southern Poverty Law Center. Variations in drafting attributions include the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law in some accounts. Change the Terms engages in campaigns such as #FixTheFeed during election years to urge Big Tech to address disinformation and hate, highlighting platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube. It has professional ties, including Heidi Beirich as an advisor, and continues to push for accountability amid ongoing challenges in tech moderation. While some tech companies have taken steps to reduce hateful activities, the coalition criticizes persistent failures and calls for comprehensive reforms. Its efforts focus on creating flexible yet thorough policies through consultations with experts, aiming to foster safer online environments without self-censoring the documentation of controversies surrounding platform responsibilities.