- The European Commission has opened proceedings against Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, on suspicion of violations of EU law.
- Among other things, it is being examined whether the US company has not adhered to European rules when dealing with political advertising.
EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said her authority had created tools to protect citizens in the European Union from targeted disinformation and manipulation by third countries. «If we suspect a violation of the rules, we take action. This applies at all times, but especially in times of democratic elections,” said Von der Leyen.
Concern about influencing European elections
The alleged violations involve, among other things, Meta’s failure to adequately combat the spread of misleading advertising and disinformation campaigns in the EU. In addition, the EU Commission suspects that the ability of users to complain about content on the platforms does not meet the requirements of European law.
Legend:
There have already been demonstrations in front of the European headquarters of the US company Meta in London (04/17/24). Now the EU Commission is also taking action.
REUTERS / Maja Smiejkowska
In addition, Meta grants researchers inadequate access to data. According to a new EU law, platforms such as Facebook, Otherwise they face high fines. The so-called Digital Services Act (DSA) is also intended to ensure that it becomes easier for users to report illegal content.
In principle, large platforms like Facebook and Instagram have to follow more rules than small ones. The EU Commission emphasizes that the initiation of proceedings against Meta is merely examining a suspicion and that the authority’s preliminary assessment does not yet represent a final result.
Legend:
The EU Commission is now collecting evidence, for example through surveys. Pictured is the Meta headquarters in Menlo Park, California.
IMAGO / Pond5 Images
In October, EU Industry Commissioner Thierry Breton warned Facebook about too much manipulated content on the platform in connection with elections. He wanted to be informed immediately about the details of the measures that Facebook had taken. It’s about curbing counterfeiting, also with a view to the upcoming elections to the European Parliament, wrote Breton.
Cases are already underway against X and Tiktok
The European Parliament will be re-elected in June. Many in the EU believe that Russia is trying to influence these elections. Belgium recently made public that intelligence information showed that there were attempts to have as many Russia-friendly representatives elected to the European Parliament as possible.
Last week, the Belgian EU Council Presidency triggered the EU Crisis Response Mechanism (IPCR), which is intended to provide a closer exchange of information on ongoing measures against Russian influence.
Proceedings are already underway against the online platform Tiktok and the short message service X (formerly Twitter). Tiktok is examining whether the Chinese company is endangering the mental health of minors with its app version Tiktok Lite.
After reports of illegal and misleading contributions to Hamas’ attack on Israel, X was sent a list of questions, which the company apparently did not answer to the satisfaction of the EU Commission. Proceedings against X were initiated in mid-December.