EU Launches Investigation into Facebook and Instagram Over Russian Disinformation Concerns

European Union authorities plan to open an investigation today, Monday, into the company’s Facebook and Instagram platforms dead Because of concerns that the social media company is not doing enough to fight disinformation from Russia and other countries, as reported by Reuters.

Regulators suspect that increased scrutiny of Meta’s content is not enough to stop the widespread spread of political ads that threaten to derail electoral processes, two people familiar with the matter said.

European Union officials are particularly concerned about the way Meta platforms are responding to Russia’s efforts aimed at disrupting the upcoming European elections.

However, the Commission is not expected to refer in its statement to Russia alone. Instead, it will only refer to the handling of information by foreign parties.

Officials also fear that the company’s mechanism that allows users to report illegal content is not readily available or can be used in accordance with the European Union’s Digital Services Act, an important law aimed at monitoring maintain online content.

The law – approved by the European authorities in April last year – includes measures to make internet platforms aware of the measures they are taking to combat false information. or publishing propaganda a fine of up to 6% of its annual sales worldwide.

The move represents the latest regulatory step taken by the commission against major technology companies, amid growing fears among member states that Russia is spreading disinformation on social media with the aim of undermine democracy before the European elections to be held in early June.