The European Commission is taking steps against Facebook and Instagram to prevent election manipulation. According to the committee, parent company Meta does not meet the requirements of the new European Digital Services Act (DSA).
It is far too easy for Russian spreaders of fake news, among others, to continue operating on these platforms. But Meta has hidden away inaccessible tools for users to report any incorrect content.
Deep fakes
The problems identified by the European Commission include paid advertisements on Facebook and Instagram. There are many in this corner deepfakes and other messages that, according to the committee, clearly escape any control by Meta, while Meta does make money from this.
Political messages
But there is also concern about the user department of these platforms. Because here the two platforms almost go too far again in restricting political content. According to the European Commission, it is not transparent on what grounds any political messages are allowed or excluded here. Furthermore, the DSA has made it mandatory that internet users can quickly report suspicious information to the platform. But Meta has hidden too much how and where this can be done. The committee must improve this.
Data system
The European Commission is most concerned about the fact that major platforms such as Facebook and Instagram are required to install a data system that makes it possible for journalists and researchers to directly analyze the data surrounding election results. The social debate about elections must also be able to be analyzed in data. Meta made the CrowdTangle program available for this purpose. But the company decided to dismantle CrowdTangle just before the European elections.
Fines
Meta must provide clarity on this urgent point within five days. The European Commission will be in close contact with Meta this week about the other problems, a commission official said. Meta is given time to solve the problems. If they don’t, large fines will follow.
Disinformation and manipulation
According to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, the move against Meta is logical. ‘This committee has made it a spearhead to protect European citizens from targeted disinformation and manipulation by third countries. If we suspect that rules are being broken, we take action. This is always the case, but especially in times of democratic elections.’
European Commission
Read the announcement by the European Commission here.
