We live in uncertain times – marked by conflicts, wars and climate change. This uncertainty forms an ideal breeding ground for disinformation and opinion manipulation. Democratic values are coming under increasing pressure. As part of our commitment to promoting the digital society, we are resolutely committed to democratic values – and against the manipulation of opinion, exclusion and hate on the internet.
We also deal with the topic in the audited Sustainability Statement in the Annual Report 2024. Closely linked to “Digital values” is also our commitment to digital inclusion, which we describe here in the CR report under Digital inclusion.
Milestones achieved, ongoing projects and goals
For many years, we have been committed to responsible behavior on the internet and want to stand up to false or misleading media content through various projects. With the “No Hate Speech” initiative, we have been campaigning since 2020 for an internet in which everyone can take advantage of the opportunities of the digital world – without having to fear exclusion or hatred. The origin and focus of the initiative lie in Germany. In addition, some of our national companies are implementing their own projects against hate on the internet. We want to further expand our commitment in the future.
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Where we come from
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2020
Our initiative “No Hate Speech” starts with the campaign “Words must not become a weapon”.
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2022
Our “Influencer” campaign focuses on dealing with hate in social media. Hate on the Internet can affect anyone, but minorities and marginalized groups as well as influencers are particularly affected.
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2022
In our “Together #NoHateSpeech” campaign, we focus on digital civil courage. With the motto “Be louder than the hate”, we encourage people to work together for respectful coexistence on the internet.
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2022
In order to strengthen the commitment against hate speech, Magenta Telekom is adapting its General Terms and Conditions (GTC) in Austria: Customers will be informed there about possible criminal consequences for the spread of hate messages. Those affected by hostility can also find tips and information on reporting offices.
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2023
With the campaign “No Hate Speech – We decide!”, we illustrate how much a single positive comment against hate on the Internet can achieve. In addition, in a joint campaign with FC Bayern Munich, we are calling for more attitude in two TV commercials.
Where we stand in the reporting year
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2024
Early 2024
In the “Lights on!” campaign, we highlight the power of community. The light serves as a symbol – each of us can actively take action against hatred, racism and antisemitism and make a difference.
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2024
With the campaign “Let’s question what we share,” we are calling for the responsible use of online information. As part of T‑Systems’ X-Creation innovation program, we are developing an app that uses artificial intelligence (AI) to verify the truthfulness of information on the Internet.
Where we want to go
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Ongoing
We continue our commitment against hate speech and continue to explore how digital spaces can be made safer.
With these measures, we are helping to achieve a key goal: Between 2024 and 2027, more than 80 million people across the Group are expected to benefit from our commitment to promoting the digital society. For more information on this goal, see Digital inclusion in this CR report.
“No Hate Speech”: extinguishing the fire of disinformation
The focus of the initiative in the reporting year was on the message “Let’s question what we share.” Our TV spot shows the dangers of disinformation: Unverified misinformation spreads quickly and can endanger our society and democratic coexistence, complicate political processes, reinforce prejudices and contribute to social division. If everyone questions for themselves what they share, misinformation loses its effect. Our partners CORRECTIV, Digital Angel and Teachtoday support the initiative.
Protecting those affected together
In addition to appealing to society to take a stand, we support people who are affected by hate on the Internet together with partners. In doing so, we work together with organizations that specifically oppose exclusion and promote respectful coexistence on the Internet.
You can find an overview of our partners on our
websiteArtificial intelligence (AI) in action against disinformation
In 2024, we developed the prototype of an AI-powered fact-checking app. Under the motto “Share it first with the app, then with the world”, the application allows users to have information verified by AI via fact-checking. It also offers the possibility to feed the results back to the “source” in order to reach people who are susceptible to and spread disinformation.
Europe segment: for respectful coexistence (T‑Mobile Polska)
At the end of November 2023, our Polish subsidiary T‑Mobile Polska launched the “HejtOutLoveIn” campaign against hate speech. Educational videos by experts, anti-violence hotlines, anonymous counselling sessions with experts, workshops, webinars and other teaching material are intended to reach young people in particular.
On TikTok, the campaign has so far reached around 20 million users. The expert videos recorded an average of 2.4 million views. In total, T‑Mobile Poland reached over 40 million people and media contacts with the campaign. Around 93 thousand people have dealt in depth with the contents of the campaign, for example by talking to experts or participating in events.“No Hate Speech”: what we achieved in 2024
1.2 billion media contacts achieved
5.9 million people reached directly or through multipliers such as parents or educators
“Equal eSports”
In 2024, we continued to advocate for more diversity in eSports and gaming. Together with the eSports organization “SK Gaming” and the “esports player foundation”, we launched the “Equal eSports” initiative in Germany in 2021. With our appearance at Gamescom 2024, we have clearly positioned ourselves for equality and diversity in eSports. Our goal remains to support people who are often affected by hostility – especially women and non-binary people – in achieving their goals in eSports.
Looking ahead
Almost 6 million – that is how many people dealt with our content against hate speech in 2024 alone. But we know that especially in these uncertain times, it is important not to let up in our commitment to democratic values. That is why we continue to campaign for a digital world without disinformation, exclusion and hatred.
Deep Dive for experts
Management & Frameworks
Both within the company and outside of it, we want to promote respectful and appreciative cooperation. This also applies to our communication culture. With our social media guidelines, we create transparency and security for all employees when using social media platforms. These guidelines apply to both internal and external social media platforms of Deutsche Telekom as well as to privately used social media accounts of employees if posts published there have a reference to Deutsche Telekom. The principles also have a practical function, as they help to protect us from harm. In the digital space, there are numerous stumbling blocks that need to be considered and that we want to avoid.
Against the backdrop of human-centered AI, in 2018 we were one of the first companies in the world to develop AI guidelines. They illustrate how we deal responsibly with AI. Our AI guidelines follow the approach of AI that develops around and for humans and refer to legal foundations as well as to our Code of Human Rights. In it, we commit ourselves to respecting and promoting human rights and taking responsibility. T‑Mobile US steers the responsible use of AI through its Responsible AI Policy and Guidelines.
In our “Corporate Digital Responsibility@Deutsche Telekom” framework, we summarize what we mean by digital responsibility. At the core of the CDR framework is our “House of Digital Responsibility”, which is all about human-centered technology.
Relevant standards
- GSMA
- GSMA-INT-03 (Online safety measures)
Other sources of information on the topic of Digital values
- Topic special No Hate Speech | Deutsche Telekom
- No Hate Speech | Magenta Telekom (only available in German)
- Equal eSports