MEPs are calling for stricter rules against adding to digital platforms and social networks, emphasizing the impacts on the mental health of young people in particular. France welcomes and encourages the approach.
The European Parliament continues to move towards the regulation of addictive interfaces on large platforms, in addition to the Digital Services Act, a major new regulatory text. The institution proposes a resolution that aims to eliminate harmful mechanisms and give users more control over their online experience, especially on social networks. In France, the National Digital Council notes the “ advances » of the EU. What do we find in this resolution?
Europe and France want regulation of addictive interfaces, and greater freedom for users
One year after the adoption of the regulation on digital services, the European Parliament is proposing to take a crucial step to control the harmful effects of interfaces deemed addictive on social networks and other major digital platforms. Last week, the European Commission adopted a draft regulation including provisions such as an alternative recommendation flow, the obligation to use recommendation parameters, and the ban on misleading interfaces.
Good practices like “ think before you share “, summaries of total screen time or disabling notifications by default are in the pipeline. Parliament insists on examining platform interfaces as a factor in the propagation of systemic risks. He encourages Brussels to take this dimension into account, to strengthen control of large social networks.
The proposed resolution, which is in the hands of the European Commission, calls for the possibility of opening up the network infrastructure, to give the user the possibility of configuring their own experience. This suggestion is in any case aligned with the work of the National Digital Council on the attention economy and the right to configuration.
An opening of social networks advocated
The members of the French Council underline the importance of understanding the effects of platforms on the attention of users, and call for giving them back their autonomy. They imagine “ truly social social networks », where users would be free to make their choices, as explained by the co-pilot of the National Digital Council’s work on the attention economy, Anne Alombert.
The Secretary General of the Council, Jean Cattan, underlines the importance of integrating this issue into the risk analysis by the European Commission. Calling for “ sensitivity » from Brussels, he reminds us of the major challenge represented by the regulation of social network interfaces.
The National Digital Council is currently exploring various means of action, such as the consecration of the right to configuration and the “ unbundling » social networks. Such initiatives would allow third parties to provide alternatives to the usual functionalities of social networks. For preserved innovation, and above all, freedom of choice.
Source: National Digital Council, European Parliament
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