BRUSSELS - Meta Platforms said it is not yet planning on abandoning fact-checking efforts in the European Union of social media posts placed on its platforms. However, European Commission sources told Dutch broadcaster NOS that the tech giant already made its first move in that direction by sending the European Union’s executive body a risk analysis about the matter on Tuesday.
The parent company of Facebook, Instagram and Threads said that same day that it will stop independent fact-checking efforts in the United States. A Meta spokesperson said the changes will only apply to that country for the time being.
Under European rules, tech giants are required to submit a risk analysis about impactful changes to those products with large user bases. Meta uses professional news outlets to carry out fact-checking work in Europe, but it sent a document to the European Commission outlining perceived risks by also cutting this service in the European Union, sources told NOS.
This is currently being studied by the Commission, the broadcaster said. It is not known when a decision could be given. Meta did not offer a response to the NOS report.
The Digital Services Act (DSA) took effect in 2023, requiring major online platforms with over 45 million active monthly users to take measures to prevent the spread of disinformation, as well as other illegal or harmful activities. The Digital Markets Act (DMA) also forces a handful of “gatekeepers” to use fair business practices, or face first fines of up to 10 percent of global turnover, and up to 20 percent for repeated infringements. Violations of the DSA can bring fines of up to 6 percent of global turnover.
Meta is one of the seven companies with a gatekeeper designation under the DMA, with both Facebook and Instagram subject to DSA rules. The DSA is currently being used to investigate TikTok for allegations it did not prevent election interference in Romania in November. That company’s parent, ByteDance, is also designated as a gatekeeper, along with Google parent Alphabet, Amazon, Apple, Booking, and Microsoft.
Meta Platforms currently has no plans to stop fact-checking on Social Media messages in the European Union. The company announced on Tuesday that it will stop conducting third-party audits of Facebook, Instagram, and Threads posts in the United States. But these changes only apply to the US for now, said a spokesperson for Meta.
Regulation of tech companies is more active in the European Union, the spokesperson added. The bloc has introduced a law requiring major online platforms like Meta to protect their users from fake news, terrorist material, and online hate. It is called the Digital Services Act (DSA).
Meta also announced Tuesday that it would replace fact-checkers in the US with a system similar to X, which has a feature that allows users to comment on potentially misleading posts. The European Commission is investigating these so-called community comments on X.
The commission is looking into whether the system is working properly and whether Elon Musk's social media platform is devoting enough attention and resources to the fight against disinformation.
Alexander Pleijter, a professor in Journalism and New Media at the University of Leiden, is a specialist in online journalism and fact-checking. He believes that Meta will take no notice of the European Union if they want to stop fact-checking on the continent.
"Meta doesn't care about legislation," said Pleijter, referring to a new law that came into effect last year and imposes stricter rules on tech companies. "The question is how hard the European Commission dares to act. But also what it can do if Meta decides to implement it in Europe anyway."
Fines can be imposed on Meta, but the question is whether they will be paid. "Can you force them to pay those fines? And taking Facebook and Instagram offline is going very far. As in Europe, there is not much you can do."
