The social network Twitter has decided to withdraw from the European Union (EU) code of good practice against disinformation on the Internet, although it must continue to apply its rules if it wants to continue operating in the region, the European Commissioner for Industry, Thierry Breton, reported today.
“You can run, but you can’t hide. Beyond voluntary commitments, fighting disinformation will be a legal obligation under the DSA (the Digital Services Act) from August 25,” Breton wrote on the same social network, owned by Elon Musk.
“Our teams will be ready to enforce the law,” he warned, quoted by AFP news agency.
About 30 companies adhere to this code of good practice, born in 2018 with the participation in the drafting of industry giants such as Meta, Google, Twitter, Microsoft and TikTok.
The text includes about 40 recommendations aimed at establishing cooperation with information verification services and stopping advertising pages spreading false news.
It also advocates strengthening measures that seek to prevent fake accounts, bot farms amplifying misleading messages, or identity theft.
Twitter’s release of the code came as no surprise.
After acquiring that platform last year, the millionaire has toned down moderation in the short message service.
The platform stopped warning its users of potentially fake content and started charging for the verified user’s blue “tick”, by which it ceased to be a function for distinguishing relevant profiles.
“If (Musk) doesn’t take the code seriously, he’s almost better off abandoning it,” a European Commission official said last night.
The code of practice is expected to enter into force on August 25 and nearly twenty digital platforms with more than 45 million active users will adhere to it.
Those who fail to comply can be fined up to 6% of their worldwide annual turnover.
Companies will be required to promptly remove illegal content, ensure personalized advertising is not directed at minors, and limit misinformation and harmful content such as cyberbullying.
Source: Clarin
Linda Price is a tech expert at News Rebeat. With a deep understanding of the latest developments in the world of technology and a passion for innovation, Linda provides insightful and informative coverage of the cutting-edge advancements shaping our world.