Facebook has developed artificial intelligence technology to help it identify terrorist posts, while increasing its team of counter-terrorism specialists to more than 150, as the social network pushes back against accusations it does not do enough to stop extremist propaganda spreading online.

The world’s largest social network has declared it is committed to making the site a “very hostile environment for terrorists”, as politicians in Germany, the UK and France discuss imposing fines on platforms that do not take down their posts.

Recent attacks in London and Manchester have increased pressure on tech companies to show they are taking action. The UK prime minister Theresa May, who has accused the platforms of providing “safe spaces” for terrorists online, launched a joint anti-terror campaign targeting social media companies with French President Emmanuel Macron this week.