Meta takes first step to stop social media fact-checking in the European Union: report
Meta Platforms said it is not yet planning on abandoning fact-checking efforts in the European Union of social media posts placed on its platforms. However, European Commission sources told Dutch broadcaster NOS that the tech giant already made its first move in that direction by sending the European Union’s executive body a risk analysis about the matter on Tuesday.
The parent company of Facebook, Instagram and Threads said that same day that it will stop independent fact-checking efforts in the United States. The company said it would replace fact-checkers in the US with a system similar to X, which has a feature that allows users to comment on potentially misleading posts. The European Commission is investigating the Community Notes system on X. A Meta spokesperson said the changes will only apply to that country for the time being.
Under European rules, tech giants are required to submit a risk analysis about impactful changes to those products with large user bases. Meta uses professional news outlets to carry out fact-checking work in Europe, but it sent a document to the European Commission outlining perceived risks by also cutting this service in the European Union, sources told NOS.
This is currently being studied by the Commission, the broadcaster said. It is not known when a decision could be given. Meta did not offer a response to the NOS report. The Commission is also looking into whether the system at X is working properly and whether Elon Musk's social media platform is devoting enough attention and resources to the fight against disinformation.
The Digital Services Act (DSA) took effect in 2023, requiring major online platforms with over 45 million active monthly users to take measures to prevent the spread of disinformation, as well as other illegal or harmful activities. The Digital Markets Act (DMA) also forces a handful of “gatekeepers” to use fair business practices, or face first fines of up to 10 percent of global turnover, and up to 20 percent for repeated infringements. Violations of the DSA can bring fines of up to 6 percent of global turnover.
Meta is one of the seven companies with a gatekeeper designation under the DMA, with both Facebook and Instagram also subject to DSA rules. The DSA is currently being used to investigate TikTok for allegations it did not prevent election interference in Romania in November. That company’s parent, ByteDance, is also designated as a gatekeeper, along with Google parent Alphabet, Amazon, Apple, Booking, and Microsoft.
Meta Platforms does not currently have plans to stop fact-checking in the European Union, a Meta spokesperson said. Regulation of tech companies is more active in the European Union, the spokesperson added. The bloc's DSA law a law requiring major online platforms to protect their users from fake news, terrorist material, and online hate.
Alexander Pleijter, a professor in Journalism and New Media at the University of Leiden, is a specialist in online journalism and fact-checking. He told ANP that he believes that Meta will not take notice of the European Union's rules if the company wants to stop fact-checking on the continent, arguing it all comes down to whether the bloc wants get tough on enforcement.
"Meta doesn't care about legislation," said Pleijter, referring to the DSA and DMA. "The question is how hard the European Commission dares to act. But also what it can do if Meta decides to implement it in Europe anyway."
Fines can be imposed on Meta, but the question is whether they will be paid. "Can you force them to pay those fines? And taking Facebook and Instagram offline is going very far."
