France soccer star Thierry Henry has questioned how people can get away with hate speech in the digital world that they couldn't use on the street. 

The all-time leading scorer for the France national team was in Lisbon to talk about the disturbing rise of online hate aimed not just at footballers but at figures from all walks of life.

The UK's new Online Safety Bill currently under discussion, proposes prison time for offenders of up to two years. It's legislation that he would certainly welcome.

Speaking at a news conference, Henry said: "If you did that on the street you would get arrested by a police officer or at least [they would] tell you to stop and you couldn't do it again. But it seems like you can do whatever you want on those platforms."

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"We need help from people in higher positions," he added, saying he wanted social media companies to be held responsible. "We need to come together to make sure that those people maybe legislate a law that will make those platforms more accountable."

Henry was one of several celebrities appearing at this year's Web Summit. Danish actor Nikolaj Coster-Waldau better known as Jaime Lannister from the hit TV show Game of Thrones was also a keynote speaker.

The plethora of big names from sport to entertainment to politics appearing here in Lisbon is a source of great pride for the hosts.

Lisbon's digital nomads

In recent years, Portugal and Lisbon specifically have become popular with digital nomads. The country has positioned itself as an attractive destination, with start-up visas available for non-EU residents.

Newly elected Lisbon Mayor Carlos Moedas says he wants to make sure this new boom doesn't create a growing economic disparity.

"My dream for Lisbon is that you have to have this aspirational side of the tech world, which is very important. Then as a city, you have to use that growth, to share that growth with the people who have no aspirations, that they were not privileged to have the education that others have," he said.

More than 42,000 delegates and guests have attended this year, with a keen focus on social responsibility and holding larger companies to account.

As the tech industry continues to grow it's a demand set to be voiced more loudly and urgently.