In the aftermath of the European Union’s (EU) call to prominent social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok to eliminate content supporting Hamas, a fresh deadline looms. The EU has now set a clear ultimatum until October 25th for both Meta (formerly known as Facebook) and TikTok to share insights concerning their responses to episodes of violence in Palestine instigated by occupying forces.
The Indian-based news website TOI has reported that both companies have proactively published their respective responses earlier this week. Yet, the European Commission remains insistent, urging Meta specifically to deliver more detailed data on measures it has put in place to curtail the spread of misinformation on its platform.
The EU’s official statement elucidated, “The Commission requires Meta to provide further details on the actions it has undertaken to abide by risk assessment and mitigation obligations, specifically regarding content dissemination, amplification of illegal content, and misinformation.”
Simultaneously, a comparable directive was issued to TikTok. This mandate also encompassed TikTok’s adherence to other elements of the Digital Services Act (DSA), particularly concerning its provisions for safeguarding minors online. It’s noteworthy that this request follows shortly after similar demands were placed on Elon Musk-owned company X, formerly known as Twitter.
Both Meta and TikTok are now on the clock. They’re expected to present comprehensive information to the Commission by October 25th regarding their crisis response and by November 8th concerning election integrity safeguards. Based on these responses, the Commission will subsequently determine its next course of action.
In related developments, a TikTok spokesperson relayed to CNBC that their team is “currently reviewing the RFI (Request for Information)” having just heard from the European Commission. The spokesperson from TikTok further added, “We will be releasing our inaugural transparency report under the DSA next week, where we’ll provide more information about our ongoing efforts to keep our European community safe.”
