Meta wants to intervene less strongly than before in the spread of fake news on its services – initially only in the USA. EU politicians are alarmed.
Meta boss Mark Zuckerberg has announced the departure from the previous moderation model on the platforms Facebook, Instagram and Threads. He announced that he wanted to lift restrictions on controversial issues such as migration. The cooperation with fact checkers will initially be ended in the USA – similar to Elon Musk’s online service X.
As the company reports, there are no immediate plans for Germany to end its collaboration with fact checkers. Nevertheless, EU politicians are alarmed. What could Meta threaten if the company decides to expand its lax moderation policy to EU countries?
Basically: In Europe, Meta’s hands are largely tied by the Digital Services Act (DSA) regarding the responsibility of online platforms. The law against misinformation and hate speech is intended, among other things, to ensure that platforms remove such content from their sites more quickly than before. Anyone who does not adhere to the rules faces severe penalties of up to six percent of global annual turnover and an EU-wide ban on the service.
Nevertheless, clear words are coming from the EU. Commission spokesman Thomas Regnier told MDR that if Meta no longer works with independent fact-checkers in the EU, the platform must “carry out its own risk assessment and submit a report to the Commission” in accordance with the law.
We will “ensure that these very large platforms, no matter where they are based, as soon as they offer their services here in the EU, also adhere to our rules,” said Regnier.
Were there cases where the EU had to intervene? Yes, in 2023 the EU opened proceedings against the short message service X based on the DSA – the first against an online platform. X was accused of flouting EU rules on risk management and content moderation. The EU threatened to shut down the platform.
Following similar allegations, the commission had previously warned Facebook parent company Meta and the video platform TikTok. Both companies were required to provide the Commission with additional information, but formal procedures have not yet been announced.
Critical voices also from Germany
Christian Katzenbach, researcher at the Humboldt Institute for Internet and Society, told t-online that in the future “we must expect a much broader EU-US confrontation, which will also fundamentally revolve around the question of what platforms actually are and what responsibilities they have”. Every victory of this new US alliance will mean a “loss and a step backwards for democratic society.”
Something threatening is brewing there.
Daniel Leisegang, “Netzpolitik.org”
Daniel Leisegang is a political scientist and co-editor-in-chief at “netzpolitik.org”, a German medium for digital freedom rights. He told t-online that the decision would also have consequences for the EU and its member states. “Zuckerberg has announced that he will work with the new US administration to oppose governments that want to expand alleged censorship.”
According to the expert, Elon Musk has long since become the shadow president of the USA. “Something threatening is building up. I think it’s likely that Trump will soon increase the pressure on the EU to relax the European requirements. Then the European Union will have to take a very decisive stand against it. Otherwise Zuckerberg’s decision will also endanger democracy this side of the Atlantic.”
German politicians also criticize Meta’s approach. Federal Digital Minister Volker Wissing said on the sidelines of the CES technology trade fair in Las Vegas that he trusts and relies on the EU Commission to “take a close look at Meta’s actions, examine it strictly and, if necessary, take the necessary measures.”
He is already in contact with the new EU Commissioner Henna Virkkunen on this matter. “I know that she takes these issues very seriously and she has my full support and trust,” said Wissing.
SPD General Secretary Matthias Miersch described Facebook Group Meta’s plans to relax its rules as “alarming.” “Dismantling fact checkers while fake news and disinformation are increasing is extremely dangerous – because fake news is not freedom of expression, but rather targeted attacks on our democracy,” said Miersch.
CEO Mark Zuckerberg seems to be “steering on a course like Elon Musk or Donald Trump.” Miersch called for the consequences to be examined at the European level. “Europe has created clear rules with the Digital Services Act, but in view of such developments we have to carefully examine whether these rules are sufficient,” said the SPD General Secretary.