By EMMANUEL KUJE, Abuja-
FIFA has taken a significant step in combating hate speech in football, revealing that it has hidden over 10 million abusive comments since launching its Social Media Protection Service (SMPS) in 2022.
The service, powered by Artificial Intelligence (AI), filters and hides abusive posts from account owners.
According to FIFA, SMPS has analyzed 33 million posts and comments on 15,302 accounts across 23 tournaments, qualifying matches, and friendly games.
The service is currently being used at the Club World Cup, protecting 2,019 accounts of players, coaches, and officials from 32 teams.
FIFA’s efforts aim to create a safer online environment for footballers.
A recent survey highlighted that women’s players face more abuse than their male counterparts, underscoring the need for such initiatives.
“FIFA is committed to protecting its members and players from hate speech,” the organization stated, emphasizing its dedication to promoting a positive and respectful online community.
