Global social media platforms Tik Tok and You Tube have appeared before Australia's Royal Commission into Antisemitism and Social Cohesion, where executives were questioned about how their platforms identify, moderate, and remove antisemitic and other hateful content.
The commission is investigating the spread of online hate in Australia and examining whether technology companies are doing enough to prevent harmful material from reaching users. The hearings follow evidence presented over recent months that antisemitic content has increased on several online platforms since late 2023.
Tik Tok's Global Head of Policy, Trust and Safety, Zachary Hecht, travelled from the United States to give evidence. He told the commission that Tik Tok relies heavily on artificial intelligence and automated moderation systems to review content as it is uploaded.
According to Tik Tok, around 98 per cent of harmful content detected in Australia during the first quarter of 2026 was removed before it was viewed by users. The company said its systems automatically assess uploaded videos against community guidelines and prohibit material including Holocaust denial, hateful conspiracies targeting Jewish people, incitement to violence, and other forms of antisemitic abuse.
Commission lawyers, however, questioned whether automated systems always perform effectively. During the hearing, examples were presented where content initially identified by artificial intelligence was later reinstated by human moderators following appeals before eventually being removed after further review. Tik Tok acknowledged that human moderation errors can occur despite extensive automated screening.
Following Tik Tok's appearance, representatives from You Tube, owned by Google, were also scheduled to provide evidence regarding the platform's moderation practices, recommendation algorithms, and enforcement of policies relating to hate speech and extremist content. The commission is examining how recommendation systems may amplify harmful material and what additional safeguards platforms can implement.
The hearings form part of a broader national inquiry into antisemitism and social cohesion established by the Australian Government. Throughout the inquiry, community organisations, academics, regulators, and technology companies have been asked to explain how online hate develops, spreads, and affects Australian communities.
The commission has also heard calls for stronger regulation of social media companies, greater transparency in moderation decisions, and improved cooperation between digital platforms, governments, and law enforcement agencies. Witnesses have argued that while artificial intelligence has significantly improved the detection of harmful content, human oversight remains essential when reviewing complex or context-dependent material.
The inquiry is expected to continue hearing evidence from major technology companies before making recommendations later this year on how Australia can better address online hate while balancing freedom of expression and digital safety.
