- Combating Hate and Antisemitism: Senator Terzi calls for stronger legal tools to identify and block those spreading hate speech online, particularly antisemitic content, citing the IHRA definition and binding national regulations.
- Ending Online Anonymity: He proposes abolishing online anonymity, which enables the unchecked spread of fake news, conspiracy theories, and destabilizing campaigns — often funded via dark web cryptocurrency transactions.
- EU’s Role and Responsibility: Terzi urges the European Union to remain firm in negotiations with the United States on the Digital Services Act, aiming to strike a balance between protecting privacy and defending democratic values and collective security.
In a stark address during a parliamentary hearing on intolerance, racism, antisemitism, and incitement to hatred and violence, Senator Giulio Terzi of Fratelli d’Italia called for concrete measures to curb the spread of online hate speech, misinformation, and rising antisemitism. Citing recent attacks targeting Holocaust survivor and Senator for Life Liliana Segre — described as “a symbol of courage and human strength” — Terzi underscored the urgency of both regulatory and technological interventions.
According to the Senator, the fight against digital hate campaigns must start with enhanced legal and enforcement tools for law enforcement and judicial authorities. This includes enabling the identification, monitoring, and interdiction of those who use the internet to promote hatred, particularly antisemitism. He stressed the importance of adhering to international frameworks such as the IHRA Working Definition of Antisemitism, alongside binding national legislation.
But Terzi’s most striking proposal is the call to end online anonymity. He argued that anonymity serves as a shield for those spreading extremist content and misinformation, enabling the monetization of harmful narratives through cryptocurrency transactions in the dark web. “Anonymity allows not only the flourishing of hate, but also the rise of destabilizing, anti-democratic movements through fake news and conspiracy theories,” Terzi warned. He referenced Russia’s disinformation campaigns related to Ukraine as a clear example of how hybrid warfare is facilitated by unregulated digital spaces.
The Senator urged the European Union to remain firm in negotiations with the United States regarding the Digital Services Act, emphasizing the need for a balanced approach that safeguards both privacy and collective democratic security. “This is not overregulation,” he said, “but the protection of peace itself.”
Terzi’s statement adds momentum to an ongoing European debate on how to reconcile fundamental digital rights with the need for democratic resilience, particularly in the face of growing threats from state and non-state actors exploiting online platforms.
