Dutch regulator reminds social media platforms of responsibilities for upcoming election

The Netherlands Authority for Consumers and Markets (ACM) reminded online platforms like Facebook, Snapchat, TikTok, and X of their responsibilities and obligations regarding reliable information in the run-up to the Dutch parliamentary elections. The regulator has sent a letter to twelve platforms about this.

Under European rules, large online platforms must combat illegal hate speech, malicious foreign interference, and disinformation on their platforms. “Under the Digital Services Act (DSA), they must implement a transparent and diligent policy regarding the content of their platforms and take effective measures against illegal content. This is especially important during elections,” ACM director Manon Leijten stressed.

The regulator also wants to know from the platforms what they are doing to protect people from unreliable information about the elections on October 29. According to the watchdog, European rules should make it easy for everyone to report illegal content. Platforms must respond quickly and clearly explain what they do with the report. The ACM urged users to report to the regulator if they don’t agree with the steps taken by an online platform.

In recent years, there have been growing concerns about foreign interference in elections in Europe and elsewhere. For example, in December, the European Commission opened an investigation into TikTok for possible Russian interference in the Romanian elections.

Meta Platforms, the company behind Facebook and Instagram, announced last month that it would no longer allow political ads on its platform in the European Union starting in October. The decision was made due to European regulations aimed at preventing foreign interference in elections, among other things.