Meta is once again embroiled in a heated dispute, this time with the European Commission, which announced on Tuesday (April 30) that it had opened an investigation into alleged breaches of EU online content rules.
A press release states that formal proceedings have been initiated as Meta may have violated the Digital Services Act (DSA).
“We suspect that Meta’s moderation is inadequate, that it lacks transparency in advertising and content moderation processes,” EU digital chief Margrethe Vestager said in the press release.
The investigation was launched because the Commission suspected “her”. [Meta] “violated DSA commitments on misleading advertising and political content and failed to provide researchers, journalists and election participants with real-time monitoring tools and effective mechanisms to flag illegal content,” said Internal Market Commissioner Thierry Breton.
The EU has also highlighted the lack of an effective, real-time tool for civic discourse and third-party election monitoring in the run-up to the European Parliament elections.
It has been determined that there is no “adequate” replacement for Meta’s CrowdTangle tool, which will be phased out by August 2024. It is a public insights tool that makes it easy to track, analyze and report on what is happening with public content on online networking platforms.
Meta has five working days to inform the EU of remedial measures taken to address the investigation concerns.
Meta-investigation under the Digital Services Act
The Digital Services Law was introduced to regulate online platforms such as marketplaces, social networks, content sharing platforms, app stores, and online travel and accommodation websites.
The aim is to prevent illegal and harmful activities on the Internet and the spread of disinformation.
Following the new law, Meta has already been questioned several times about its practices. In December, the Commission sent a request for information on the measures it has taken to comply with its risk assessment obligation and on measures related to the protection of minors.
Another request for information was received on November 10th on the subject of child protection and another in October on the spread of terrorist and violent content, hate speech and the alleged spread of disinformation.
In March 2024, an additional information request was sent about subscribing to the ad-free options for Facebook and Instagram.
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