Facebook, Twitter, and other big technology companies and would be ready to comply with the rules of the European Union to prevent disinformation. According to the Financial Times, the companies are preparing to adhere to a code of practice on disinformation where they commit to removing harmful content on their platforms.

The newspaper mentions that Facebook, Twitter, Google, Microsoft, and TikTok are part of the block of 30 signatories that will sign the updated version of the code. In doing so, Big Tech will need to provide country-specific data on disinformation. The new code will be enforced through the Digital Services Law, a measure that aims to stop the spread of illegal content and misinformation on social networks.

Although technology companies have shown resistance to regulation, disinformation became a problem after the COVID-19 pandemic and the war in Ukraine. The new code will force companies to disclose the strategy to eliminate and contain disinformation. It also requires them to develop tools to counter harmful content and work with fact-checkers.

Big Tech must identify and flag false information

Platforms will be required to identify and flag false information in a way that is obvious to users. They will also provide data to member states, such as the number of bots removed, details about the artificial intelligence algorithms that identify fake news, as well as the number of content moderators that exist in each country.

Facebook, Twitter, TikTok, and all the signatories will not be able to get rid of it that easily. This code requires that the information be provided by the country and not by the entire continent. According to Věra Jourová, EU vice president for transparency and responsibility for the code, disinformation is different in each country, so the big platforms will have to provide meaningful data. In case of not complying with the agreement, the companies will face fines of up to 6 percent of their global turnover.

According to Jourová, Russia’s actions in the Ukraine war accelerated the development of the code of practice on disinformation. Since the beginning of the invasion, the Kremlin has manipulated reports about the war. The government passed a law that fines or sends to prison those who question military decisions. The EU vice president for transparency said that countries will be better prepared to fight disinformation.

The code against disinformation provides for millionaire fines for those who do not comply

The new version of the code is expected to be released next Thursday. In it will be the signatures of 30 technology companies and civil society groups.

The new code and the Digital Services Law are the latest attempt to tackle harmful content on social networks. The legislation obliges large technology companies to carry out an analysis of the risks that their services represent. Among them is the dissemination of illegal content and manipulation to affect democratic processes. They will also study the adverse effects on Fundamental Rights and the mental health of adults and minors.

The Digital Services Law also gives the European Union the right to censor or minimize the dissemination of harmful or harmful content in crises.