S&Ds urge Meta to uphold its digital responsibility to fight disinformation

Following Mark Zuckerberg's announcement that his social media platforms will no longer employ fact-checking, the S&Ds urge Meta to fulfil its obligations under the EU's Digital Services Act and the Code of Practice on Disinformation. They call on the European Commission to ensure that tech giants like Meta do not undermine the EU's regulatory framework, in lightof the upcoming US administration and potential policy changes driven by the election of Donald Trump.

Alex Saliba, S&D MEP and vice-president for Digital Agenda, said:

"When Mark Zuckerberg announced that Meta would shift its policy on disinformation ­- moving away from fact-checking and towards community notes, similar to what Elon Musk's X employs - he explicitly referenced the EU's regulatory efforts to protect users and society.

"He perceives the election of Donald Trump and the upcoming US administration as an opportunity to push back on rules and regulations of US Big Tech companies. With a more lenient approach and less strict content moderation, this policy change raises serious concerns about Meta's obligations under the EU's Digital acquis.

"Meta has signed the Code of Practice on Disinformation, and as a Very Large Online Platform under the Digital Services Act, it is required to report every six months on its efforts to combat disinformation. Within the EU, Meta has a legal obligation to take a risk-based approach and mitigate against election manipulation, cyber violence against women and harm to minors.

"Zuckerberg's announcement frames this policy shift as a return to freedom of expression, but,in Europe, it must be carefully balanced against potential negative side effects.

"The new European Commission, especially vice-president Henna Virkkunen, must hold Meta and other tech giants accountable, preventing them from using the Trump election as a pretext to reset online regulations in the US and globally. The protection of European citizens and society online is at stake, as is the EU's reputation as a global leader in tech regulation."