The European Commission is closely investigating the algorithms of YouTube, TikTok and Snap. What results will emerge remains to be seen.
European Commission pressure on YouTube, TikTok and Snap
As part of the Digital Services Act (DSA), the European Commission (EC) is demanding detailed information from YouTube, TikTok and Snap How their recommendation algorithms work.
The aim is to understand their influence on the amplification of systemic risks. The EC warned that failure to comply could lead to formal non-compliance proceedings under DSA.
Transparency requirement to protect users
The EC explained that this measure takes place within the framework of the DSA, which ensures that social platforms “Appropriately check and mitigate their recommendation systems for risks”.
She cited the spread of harmful content and the mental health of users as examples of these risks.
The European Commission is requesting information from YouTube, Snapchat and TikTok about the settings of their content recommendation algorithms, in particular their role in spreading systemic risks, including the protection of minors and…
— Lisa en direct 🌏 (@ActusPays) October 3, 2024
Risks from recommendation algorithms
YouTube and Snap should provide details about their algorithm settings and how they increase the risks of:
- Political elections
- Civil discourse
- Protection of minors
- Searches for social networks
TikTok faces the same requirements
TikTok must also report to the EC what measures it has taken to prevent the manipulation of the app “malicious actors” to avoid. It must also explain how it mitigates the same systemic risks that the regulator is carrying out “certain recommendation systems” sees as reinforced.
The platforms have until November 15th to respond to these requests. There are penalties for non-compliance “incorrect, incomplete or misleading information”. If there is no response, the EC can issue one “formal requirement” place.
In May, the EC launched an investigation into Meta Platforms (formerly Facebook). This concerns possible DSA violations in connection with the protection of minors.
