The European Commission recently issued a preliminary opinion accusing Meta and TikTok of non-compliance with the Digital Services Act (DSA). This piece of legislation, which is essential for regulating online content, appears to be at the heart of tensions between digital giants and European authorities. What are the alleged infringements, and what could the consequences be?
3 things you need to know
- The European Commission accuses Meta and TikTok of failing to comply with the Digital Services Act.
- The violations include the handling of illegal content, moderation, and transparency.
- Meta and TikTok face fines of up to six percent of their global annual revenue.
Violations of the Digital Services Act
The European Commission has highlighted violations by Meta and TikTok concerning several aspects of the Digital Services Act. This legislation aims to regulate online content management to ensure a safer and more transparent digital environment. Both companies are accused of not making it easy for users to report illegal content, which hinders the fight against harmful content such as terrorist propaganda.
Transparency and data access issues
Another point of contention concerns platform transparency and researcher access to data. The Digital Services Act aims to make platforms more transparent and facilitate studies and research on digital content. However, Meta and TikTok are criticized for not providing sufficient access to the necessary data, which limits efforts to analyze and understand the dynamics of online content.
Potential consequences for Meta and TikTok
If the European Commission’s findings are confirmed, Meta and TikTok could face significant financial penalties. Fines could reach up to six percent of their global annual revenue, which would represent a considerable sum for these tech giants. However, the companies still have the opportunity to contest these allegations or take corrective measures before a final decision is made.
Context and future challenges
The Digital Services Act, adopted by the European Union, is one of the most ambitious pieces of legislation in the field of digital regulation. It aims to make large online platforms more accountable by clearly structuring their obligations towards content and users. This legislation marks an important step in the regulation of digital giants and could serve as a model for other regions of the world.
Meta, formerly known as Facebook, is a multinational company that has greatly influenced the development of social media and digital technology. TikTok, meanwhile, has rapidly gained popularity with its short video format and has become a major player, particularly among younger generations. How these companies meet the requirements of the Digital Services Act could have a significant impact on their future operations and the overall digital landscape.