Google, Twitter, Facebook Under EU Scrutiny as New Rules Kick In
Meta Platforms Inc., Google and X, formerly known as Twitter, will need to adhere to strict new content moderation rules in the European Union when a new law governing social media platforms becomes legally enforceable from Friday.
Alphabet Inc.'s Google said Thursday that it's making several changes to comply with the EU's Digital Services Act, including expanding access to data on targeting of online ads and disclosing more information about its content moderation operations for services like Google Search. It will also augment risk analysis for its largest platforms.
Nineteen companies were designated “very large online platforms” and “very large online search engines” by the EU last spring, which means they had more than 45 million monthly users.
These platforms now need to comply with rules that include restrictions on targeting ads to minors and using sensitive data like race or gender in serving ads. They will also be required to have sufficient numbers of content moderators in each EU language.
The companies will have to submit risk assessments to the European Commission that detail how they mitigate the impact of harmful content on their platforms. Non-compliance could lead to fines as high as 6% of a company's annual revenue, or even being banned from operating in the bloc.
Nick Clegg, Meta's president for global affairs, said the company has introduced new steps for Facebook and Instagram, including ending targeting of ads for teenagers based on their app activity.
“It is critical that the DSA now maintains its primacy over existing and new national laws, to protect the clarity it has created for services, maintain consistency in the way tech companies are held to account, and preserve the harmonious way people
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