EU Probes Facebook, Instagram Over Election Disinformation Worries
Umer Jamshaid Published April 30, 2024 | 03:40 PM
Brussels, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 30th Apr, 2024) The EU on Tuesday launched an investigation into Meta's Facebook and Instagram over concerns the platforms are failing to counter disinformation ahead of EU elections in June.
The probe is under the EU's new Digital Services Act, a landmark law that cracks down on illegal content online and forces the world's biggest tech companies to do more to protect users online.
The European Commission said it suspected Meta's moderation of adverts was "insufficient" and that an increase in paid spots in those conditions could harm "electoral processes and fundamental rights, including consumer protection rights".
EU leaders are especially worried about Russian attempts to manipulate public opinion and undermine European democracy.
The probe seeks "to make sure that effective actions are taken in particular to prevent that Instagram's and Facebook's vulnerabilities are exploited by foreign interference," EU internal market commissioner Thierry Breton said.
"We suspect that Meta's moderation is insufficient, that it lacks transparency of advertisements and content moderation procedures," commission executive vice president Margrethe Vestager said in a statement.
Facebook and Instagram are among 23 "very large" online platforms that must comply with the DSA or risk fines up running up to six percent of a platform's global turnover, or even a ban for egregious cases.
Other platforms include Amazon, Snapchat, TikTok and YouTube.
Meta did not comment on the investigation's focus, instead stating more generally that the US company had "a well-established process for identifying and mitigating risks on our platforms".
A Meta spokesperson added: "We look forward to continuing our cooperation with the European Commission and providing them with further details of this work."
Recent Stories
Mainly hot and dry weather likely in most parts of country
UN rights expert condemns Palestinian doctor's death in Israeli custody, urges i ..
Govt. committed stability and economic growth
Sindh IGP calls on CM; briefed him about law & order in province
Toshiba to cut up to 4,000 jobs in Japan
4 killed, including 3 foreigners, in Afghanistan shooting: government
Military spending pushes Russian economic growth up
Traders demand arrest of mobile snatchers roaming in Jamshoro markets
KP opposition rejects passage of supplementary budget
US military says first aid delivered to Gaza via temporary pier
Irrigation Minister holds meeting to review water, drainage scheme
'Progressive realism': UK Labour lays out foreign policy pitch
More Stories From World
-
UN rights expert condemns Palestinian doctor's death in Israeli custody, urges independent probe
26 minutes ago -
4 killed, including 3 foreigners, in Afghanistan shooting: government
43 minutes ago -
Military spending pushes Russian economic growth up
43 minutes ago -
US military says first aid delivered to Gaza via temporary pier
42 minutes ago -
'Progressive realism': UK Labour lays out foreign policy pitch
42 minutes ago -
Spain poised to announce Palestinian state recognition date
1 hour ago
-
For Taiwan shoppers, China's malls only a ferry ride away
1 hour ago -
Supreme Court justice faces recusal calls over inverted US flag
1 hour ago -
'Get out now': Kharkiv region evacuees wait for stranded relatives
1 hour ago -
EU warns Microsoft to give Bing AI risk data or face fines
1 hour ago -
Slovakia plunged into uncertainty after PM shooting
1 hour ago -
King Charles III to attend D-Day anniversary in France: palace
2 hours ago