European Commission issues notice to Meta and TikTok, under European Union’s Digital Service Act (DSA)

European Commission (EC) issues a notice for information to Meta and TikTok, under the European Union’s Digital Service Act (DSA). The commission sought more details from Meta regarding the steps it has taken to comply with obligations related to risk assessments and mitigation measures to safeguard the integrity of elections. EC has also asked them to share the measures they have taken with regard to the dissemination and amplification of illegal content and disinformation, following the terrorist attacks across Israel by Hamas.

The Commission is asking TikTok for more details regarding the steps it has taken to adhere to its obligations related to risk assessments and mitigation measures against the spread of illegal content, particularly the spread of terroristic, violent, and hateful content as well as the alleged spread of disinformation. Additionally, the request addresses TikTok’s compliance to other DSA regulations, particularly those pertaining to the online safety of minors.

Meta and TikTok must provide the Commission with the requested information by 25 October 2023 for inquiries on crisis response, and by 8 November 2023 for inquiries about preserving election integrity and minors online. The Commission will determine the next steps after evaluating their responses. Failure to respond by the deadline may result in the imposition of periodic penalty payments.

Facebook, Instagram and TikTok are designated to be very large online platforms. They are required to abide by the entire set of rules established by the DSA, including the evaluation and mitigation of risks related to the spread of illegal content, misinformation, and any adverse effects on the exercise of fundamental rights.