The European Commission has issued directives to major online platforms such as X, TikTok, and Facebook to address threats to electoral integrity and combat voter disinformation. These guidelines, part of the Digital Services Act (DSA), target platforms with over 45 million active users in the EU and outline measures to tackle election-related risks, harmful AI content, and misleading political advertising.
Legal Implications and Enforcement
Although not legally binding, these guidelines empower the Commission to take formal action against platforms deviating from DSA provisions, potentially resulting in fines up to 6% of global turnover. This marks a shift from reliance on industry self-regulation, signaling a stricter stance to ensure Big Tech’s adherence to democratic principles.
Concerns and Response Strategies
Prompted by concerns over AI-generated content and deepfake proliferation, the guidelines introduce incident response mechanisms to address emergent threats. Platforms are required to collaborate with authorities, experts, and civil society organizations to combat misinformation effectively. Additionally, the guidelines address the role of recommender systems, emphasizing user control over content prioritization.
Platform Initiatives and Safeguards
In preparation for the upcoming European Parliament elections, major platforms have initiated election centers and misinformation combat measures. Google, Meta, and TikTok have implemented election-specific resources and media literacy tools to provide users with accurate information. TikTok plans to introduce push notifications directing users to an in-app election center.
Challenges and Linguistic Complexity
With 370 million voters across 27 member states, the linguistic diversity of the EU poses challenges for content moderation. Platforms struggle to allocate resources, with limited coverage of the EU’s 24 official languages. This linguistic complexity heightens vulnerability during elections, necessitating robust safeguards and proactive measures from platforms.
Global Implications and Compliance Costs
While DSA compliance entails significant costs for platforms, the official notes the marginal expense of implementing similar rules globally. Given the magnitude of the 2024 election year, platforms may consider extending these safeguards worldwide, reflecting a growing awareness of the importance of electoral integrity and combating disinformation on a global scale.
SOURCE: Ref Image from The Korea Herald
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