Big Tech is under fresh scrutiny in Europe, with companies being brought into line on disinformation policies, Germany opening an investigation into Apple’s practices and a Facebook competition appeal failing in the UK.
Javier Espinoza in Brussels reports Facebook, Twitter, Google, Microsoft and TikTok are among those preparing to sign up to an updated version of the EU’s anti-disinformation code of practice.
According to a confidential report seen by the FT, tech platforms will have to disclose how they are removing, blocking or curbing harmful content in advertising and in the promotion of content. They will have to counter “harmful disinformation” by developing tools and partnerships with fact-checkers that may include taking down propaganda, while also including “indicators of trustworthiness” on independently verified information on issues like the war in Ukraine and the Covid-19 pandemic. Crucially, the platforms will also be forced to provide a country-by-country breakdown of their efforts to aid national regulators.