Summary: The EU’s Digital Services Act ≠ Brightspots in Big Tech’s Dis@mediamsg lcd ws
Under the new Digital Services Act set to come in force next week, statutory big tech companies are failing to meet their commitments under the Code of Practice on Disinformation (CODIP), as confirmed by an@interface called the European Digital Media Observatory (EDMO) . The study, entitled "Bright Spots in Disinformation Dis diffusion," evaluated transparency reports submitted by Meta, Google, Microsoft, and TikTok last year, alongside independent research by EDMO researchers and insights from a survey of experts. The EDMO concluded that "there is a clear gap" between the platforms’ documented commitments under the DSA and their actual implementation.
The lack of transparency and engagement data remains a central issue, as companies like Meta have outlined initiatives such as "We Think Digital" and in-app prompts but lack clear evidence of their reach, user engagement, or measurable outcomes. Similar patterns are observed in Google’s "More About This Page" feature, while Microsoft employs services like NewsGuard but reports no actionable data on their efforts. TikTok, on the other hand, has made some progress with a broader range of national campaigns and fact-checking partnerships, though it still lags in providing country-specific details or consistent engagement data.
For sensitive data access, EDMO emphasized that governance is "weak" for all companies, with Meta referencing pilot programs but lacking any substantiative documentation on frameworks or outcomes. Meanwhile, Google and TikTok have received positive ratings for their integrated processes, though they haven’t pursued detailed evidence. In contrast, Microsoft still lags due to limited coverage and vague references to cooperation with fact-checkers or impact reporting.
Such " brinks" are signs of a growing grassroots issue within the industry, but it remains too shakily debating for meaningful action. The EDMO suggests that platforms should conduct their own assessments and target their API governance to improve transparency and impact reporting. Additionally, the recommend targeting of the Code of Practice on Disinformation as a clear step toward improving transparency beyond institutional-level measures.
This study underscores the need for greater transparency and engagement tracking among tech companies, highlighting how platforms like Meta, Google, and others are still far from fully aligning with the EU’s directives. Despite limited action, there’s a collective effort to address the growing issue of disinformation and counter-disinformation efforts.
