EU directs Meta and TikTok to explain compliance with Digital Service Act amid Israel-Hamas conflict – JURIST

The European Commission issued formal requests for information to social media giants Meta and TikTok, seeking explanations on their compliance with the European Union’s (EU) Digital Services Act (DSA). The DSA requires these platforms to take proactive measures to combat harmful posts and disinformation, particularly in light of the Israel-Hamas conflict.

The European Commission gave Meta and TikTok until October 25 to provide detailed information regarding the measures they have taken to meet their obligations under the DSA. These obligations are aimed at preventing the dissemination of violent content, hate speech and disinformation across their platforms.

Article 74 (2) of the DSA grants the European Commission the authority to impose fines for “incorrect, incomplete, or misleading information” provided in response to requests for information. In the event of non-compliance or failure to respond by the platforms, the commission retains the option to formally request the necessary information by decision, with potential penalties in the form of periodic payments.

The Digital Services Act, enacted in 2022, is a regulatory framework designed to safeguard human rights and curtail the spread of illegal content online. It establishes a comprehensive set of obligations for digital service providers to protect users, ensure fundamental rights online and enhance transparency and accountability across online platforms operating within Europe.

Meta has already taken steps to address concerns related to disinformation and misinformation, specifically in the context of the recent conflict between Israel and Hamas. Meta has designated Hamas under its Dangerous Organizations and Individuals Policy and banned the group from its platforms.

Similarly, TikTok has introduced measures to combat the spread of violent and misleading content associated with the Israel-Hamas conflict. The platform has enhanced its automated detection systems to identify and remove graphic and violent content in real time, ensuring the safety of both its moderators and community members.

Last week, Social media platform X (formerly Twitter) took action to combat disinformation after the European Commission’s Internal Market Commissioner, Thierry Breton, expressed concerns regarding the platform’s violent and misleading content. New York Attorney General Letitia James also called on Meta, TikTok, X, Google, TikTok, Reddit and Rumble to provide detailed explanations of their strategies to prevent their services from being used to incite violence and terrorism. She urged these companies to take measures to stop the spread of hateful content that encourages violence against Jewish and Muslim individuals and institutions.