EU Investigates Meta for Compliance with Digital Services Act
The European Commission has initiated formal proceedings against Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, to investigate potential breaches of the Digital Services Act (DSA). This action stems from concerns regarding Meta’s adherence to regulations aimed at curbing deceptive advertising and the dissemination of political content. The Commission’s scrutiny is particularly focused on the adequacy of Meta’s tools for real-time civic discourse and election monitoring, especially in light of the upcoming European Parliament elections.
Commission President Ursula von der Leyen emphasized the importance of this investigation, noting that the integrity of democratic processes is at stake. The suspected violations include issues with Meta’s internal mechanisms for flagging illegal content and handling user complaints, which may not meet the DSA’s standards for accessibility and effectiveness. These concerns are amplified by Meta’s decision to phase out CrowdTangle, a tool previously used for monitoring public discourse and election activities, without providing a sufficient alternative.
The proceedings will explore various aspects of Meta’s operations, including the transparency of its political content moderation and the visibility of such content within its platforms. The investigation aims to determine whether Meta’s practices align with the DSA’s requirements for protecting consumer rights and maintaining the integrity of civic discourse across the EU. The Commission has made it clear that non-compliance could lead to stringent enforcement actions.
This case highlights the broader implications of the DSA, which has been applicable to all online intermediaries in the EU since February 17, 2023. As Very Large Online Platforms (VLOPs), Facebook and Instagram are under heightened scrutiny to ensure they fulfill their obligations under the DSA, particularly in the context of their significant user base and influence within the EU.
