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☆ Meta Must Provide Details on Measures Against Child Sexual Abuse by Dec. 22, EU Says
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-01 | by ( Dec. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: 1 min

BRUSSELS (Reuters) - EU tech regulators on Friday ordered Meta Platforms to provide details on measures taken to tackle child sexual abuse material on Instagram by Dec. 22. "Information is also requested about Instagram's recommender system and amplification of potentially harmful content," the European Commission said in a statement. The request for information was done under the EU's Digital Services Act (DSA), new tech rules requiring Big Tech to do more to police illegal and harmful content on their platforms. (Reporting by Foo Yun Chee in Brussels and Charlotte Van Campenhout in Amsterdam)

Persons: Foo Yun Chee, Charlotte Van Campenhout Organizations: European Commission, EU's Digital Services, Big Tech Locations: BRUSSELS, EU, Brussels, Amsterdam

☆ Meta must provide details on measures against child sexual abuse by Dec. 22, EU says
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-01 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: 1 min

EU flag and Meta logo are seen in this illustration taken, May 22, 2023. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsBRUSSELS, Dec 1 (Reuters) - EU tech regulators on Friday ordered Meta Platforms (META.O) to provide details on measures taken to tackle child sexual abuse material on Instagram by Dec. 22. "Information is also requested about Instagram's recommender system and amplification of potentially harmful content," the European Commission said in a statement. The request for information was done under the EU's Digital Services Act (DSA), new tech rules requiring Big Tech to do more to police illegal and harmful content on their platforms. Reporting by Foo Yun Chee in Brussels and Charlotte Van Campenhout in Amsterdam;Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Dado Ruvic, Foo Yun Chee, Charlotte Van Campenhout Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, European Commission, EU's Digital Services, Big Tech, Thomson Locations: EU, Brussels, Amsterdam

☆ Most online hate targets women, says EU report
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-29 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Nov 29 (Reuters) - Women are the main targets of online hate, including abusive language, harassment and incitement to sexual violence, a European Union report said on Wednesday. The study was conducted on YouTube, Telegram, Reddit and X - formerly known as Twitter - in four EU countries between January and June 2022. It showed women were the main targets across all platforms and countries involved. "The sheer volume of hate we identified on social media clearly shows that the EU, its Member States, and online platforms can step up their efforts to create a safer online space for all," FRA director Michael O'Flaherty said in a statement. Tech giants have been facing mounting scrutiny recently, with a surge in harmful content and disinformation following the Israel-Hamas war.

Persons: Michael O'Flaherty, Diana Mandiá, Milla Nissi, Angus MacSwan Organizations: EU's Agency, Fundamental Rights, YouTube, EU, EU's Digital Services, European Commission, Facebook, Tech, Thomson Locations: Roma, Bulgaria, Germany, Italy, Sweden, Israel, Gdansk

'X' logo is seen on the top of the headquarters of the messaging platform X, formerly known as Twitter, in downtown San Francisco, California, U.S., July 30, 2023. REUTERS/Carlos Barria/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsBRUSSELS/STOCKHOLM, Nov 10 (Reuters) - Elon Musk's X social media platform has just 2,294 content moderators to ensure users comply with EU online content rules, significantly fewer than Google (GOOGL.O) and TikTok, a senior European Commission official said on Friday. X has triggered concerns after Musk laid off many employees responsible for monitoring and regulating content amid the spread of disinformation on the platform. According to reports the companies submitted to the EU in September, X's 2,294 EU content moderators compared with 16,974 at Google's YouTube, 7,319 at Google Play and 6,125 at TikTok, the senior Commission official said, speaking on condition of anonymity. Regulators are hoping that X will feel the pressure to boost its number of content moderators to catch up with its rivals, the official said.

Persons: Carlos Barria, Elon Musk's, Musk, Foo Yun Chee, Jan Harvey Organizations: REUTERS, Google, European Commission, EU's Digital Services, Apple, Microsoft, EU, YouTube, DSA, Big Tech, Thomson Locations: San Francisco , California, U.S, BRUSSELS, STOCKHOLM, X's, TikTok, EU

☆ Google cuts dozens of jobs in news division
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-18 | by ( Jennifer Elias | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Google cut dozens of jobs in its news division this week, CNBC has learned, downsizing at a particularly sensitive time for online platforms and publishers. An estimated 40 to 45 workers in Google News have lost their jobs, according to an Alphabet Workers Union spokesperson, who didn't know the exact number. A Google spokesperson confirmed the cuts but didn't provide a number, and said there are still hundreds of people working on the news product. The cuts in Google News follow widespread layoffs across many parts of the company this year. In January, Google announced it was cutting 12,000 jobs, affecting roughly 6% of the full-time workforce.

Persons: We're, We've, Sen, Michael Bennet, TikTok, Thierry Breton, Breton, Sundar Pichai, Neal Mohan, Google's, they've Organizations: Google, CNBC, Google News, Alphabet Workers Union, Union, YouTube, EU's Digital Services, LinkedIn Locations: Israel, Gaza, Russia, Ukraine, Canada

☆ Why Meta, X and TikTok face more pressure from Europe than the U.S. on Israel-Hamas war disinformation
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-13 | by ( Lauren Feiner | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +6 min

Days after the Israel-Hamas war erupted last weekend, social media platforms like Meta , TikTok and X (formerly Twitter) received a stark warning from a top European regulator to stay vigilant about disinformation and violent posts related to the conflict. In that case, the AGs argued that the Biden administration was overly coercive in its suggestions to social media companies that they remove such posts. In the U.S., "we can't have government officials leaning on social media platforms and telling them, 'You really should be looking at this more closely. Under the DSA, large online platforms must have robust procedures for removing hate speech and disinformation, though they must be balanced against free expression concerns. A series of letters from New York AG Letitia James to several social media sites on Thursday exemplifies how U.S. officials may try to walk that line.

Persons: Thierry Breton, Breton, Elon Musk, Biden, David Greene, they're, Kevin Goldberg, Goldberg, Christoph Schmon, Greene, New York AG Letitia James, James Organizations: Digital Services, Republican, AGs, White, Federal Bureau of, Electronic Frontier Foundation Civil, Freedom, EFF, DSA, New York AG, Google, CNBC, YouTube, EU's, Twitter Locations: Israel, U.S, New, Europe

LONDON (AP) — Elon Musk's social media platform X has removed hundreds of Hamas-linked accounts and taken down or labeled thousands of pieces of content since the militant group's attack on Israel, according to the CEO of the company formerly known as Twitter. Linda Yaccarino on Thursday outlined efforts by X to get a handle on illegal content flourishing on the platform. Plus, X's workforce — including its content moderation team — has been gutted. Political Cartoons View All 1207 ImagesThose changes are running up against the EU's Digital Services Act, which took effect in August. It forces social media companies to step up policing of their platforms for illegal content, such as terrorist material or illegal hate speech, under threat of hefty fines.

Persons: — Elon, Linda Yaccarino, X, ” Yaccarino, Thierry Breton, —, Yaccarino, Musk Organizations: Twitter, European Union, EU's Digital Services, YouTube, Facebook Locations: Israel, EU

☆ EU's Digital Services Act will present the biggest threat to Twitter, think tank says
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-28 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

Share Share Article via Facebook Share Article via Twitter Share Article via LinkedIn Share Article via EmailEU's Digital Services Act will present the biggest threat to Twitter, think tank saysJ. Scott Marcus, senior fellow at Bruegel, discusses how the European Union's Digital Services Act could affect Big Tech.

Persons: Scott Marcus, Bruegel Organizations: EU's, Twitter, Union's Digital, Big Tech

☆ TikTok unveils new measures ahead of EU Digital Services Act
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-04 | by ( Martin Coulter | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

EU flag and TikTok logo are seen in this illustration taken, June 2, 2023. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration/File PhotoLONDON, Aug 4 (Reuters) - Chinese-owned social media platform TikTok has announced a raft of new features for European users aimed at improving compliance with incoming European Union regulations. Under the EU's Digital Services Act (DSA), TikTok's owner ByteDance, Alphabet unit Google (GOOGL.O), other large online platforms will be required to police illegal content on their platforms, prohibit certain advertising practices, and share data with authorities. But after TikTok agreed to a voluntary "stress test" last month, EU industry chief Thierry Breton said "more work" was needed for the firm to be fully compliant. "We will continue to not only meet our regulatory obligations, but also strive to set new standards through innovative solutions," the company said.

Persons: Dado Ruvic, ByteDance, TikTok, Thierry Breton, Breton, Martin Coulter, Jason Neely Organizations: REUTERS, EU's Digital Services, CNN, DSA, Thomson

☆ TikTok to perform 'stress test' ahead of EU Digital Services Act
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-18 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

BRUSSELS, July 18 (Reuters) - Chinese-owned social media platform TikTok has voluntarily agreed to a "stress test" to prepare for the European Union's Digital Services Act (DSA), EU industry chief Thierry Breton said on Tuesday. Under the EU's Digital Services Act (DSA), Alphabet unit Google (GOOGL.O), Meta and other large online platforms will risk hefty fines if they do not control illegal content. TikTok will also be subject to the DSA rules, which require companies to manage risk, conduct external and independent auditing, share data with authorities and adopt a code of conduct. "Recent events have shown the impact TikTok has on democracies — and how important independent EU enforcement is," wrote Breton on Twitter. "TikTok voluntarily agreed to perform a #StressTest to prepare for #DSA.

Persons: Thierry Breton, Breton, TikTok, Shou Zi Chew, Sudip Kar, Josie Kao Organizations: Union's Digital Services, EU's Digital Services, DSA, Twitter, Thomson Locations: BRUSSELS

☆ Amazon tells court it shouldn't have to police its platforms for hate speech and disinformation
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-11 | by ( Pete Syme | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Amazon has filed a petition with an EU court challenging its upcoming Digital Services Act. The retail giant asked the court to annul its designation as a "very large online platform." 19 companies have been designated as "very large online platforms" or "very large online search engines" because they reach at least 45 million monthly active users. And this means they will have extra obligations, including being required to tackle online hate speech and disinformation. Amazon has asked the court to annul its designation as a "very large online platform" (VLOP) under the act, according to a summary of the petition viewed by Insider.

Organizations: Amazon, Services, Financial Times, EU's Digital, EU haven't, DSA, European Locations: Luxembourg

☆ Amazon launches first U.S. challenge to EU content rules and says it would be 'unfairly singled out'
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-11 | by ( Annie Palmer | In Annierpalmer | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Amazon is fighting its inclusion in the European Union's list of companies that are subject to landmark online content rules, marking the first U.S. challenge to the proposed legislation. Fellow U.S. tech giants Google , Meta and Apple are also subject to the rules. Amazon disputed it being labeled a VLOP under the act, saying the designation applies to companies with advertising as their primary revenue and that distribute speech and information. "If the VLOP designation were to be applied to Amazon and not to other large retailers across the EU, Amazon would be unfairly singled out and forced to meet onerous administrative obligations that don't benefit EU consumers." Last month, German online fashion and lifestyle retailer Zalando filed a suit contesting its designation as a VLOP, arguing retail constitutes the majority of its business.

Persons: Zalando Organizations: EU's Digital Services, U.S, Google, Apple, Amazon, EU, European Commission, DSA Locations: U.S

☆ EU's Breton: TikTok still a long way from EU rules compliance
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-19 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

PARIS, May 19 (Reuters) - EU industry chief Thierry Breton said on Friday he had recently spoken with TikTok Chief Executive Shou Zi Chew and told him there was still a lot to do for the Chinese-owned social network in order to comply with EU rules. Various Western countries including Britain, the United States and several European Union member states have already restricted the use TikTok over security concerns. The EU last month singled out 19 large online platforms, including TikTok, which will be subject to the Digital Services Act (DSA), a set of new online content rules from August. The rules require the companies to do risk management, conduct external and independent auditing, share data with authorities and researchers and adopt a code of conduct. A few months ago, Breton had already urged TikTok to bring its business in line with the EU's Digital Services Act (DSA).

☆ EU tells Elon Musk to hire more staff to moderate Twitter - FT
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-07 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

March 7 (Reuters) - The European Union told Elon Musk to hire more human moderators and fact-checkers to review posts on Twitter, the Financial Times reported on Tuesday, citing four people familiar with talks between Musk, Twitter executives and regulators in Brussels. The demand complicates Musk's efforts to reorganize the loss-making business he acquired for $44 billion in October. Twitter has been leaning heavily on automation to moderate content, doing away with certain manual reviews. It does not employ fact checkers, unlike larger rival Meta Platforms Inc (META.O), which owns Facebook and Instagram, the report said. European Union industry chief Thierry Breton on a video call in January warned Musk of "huge work ahead" for Twitter to apply transparent use policies, significantly reinforce content moderation and protect freedom of speech.

☆ Comply with EU rules or face ban, Breton tells TikTok CEO
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-19 | by ( Supantha Mukherjee | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

"We will not hesitate to adopt the full scope of sanctions to protect our citizens if audits do not show full compliance," Breton said. TikTok said in response that it was committed to the DSA, and had also outlined its efforts to comply with other EU legislation, such as GDPR data protections rules and a code of practice on disinformation. "The safety of our users is paramount," Caroline Greer, TikTok's director of public policy and government relations, tweeted. It is not acceptable that behind seemingly fun and harmless features, it takes users seconds to access harmful and sometimes even life-threatening content," Breton said. "The DSA includes dissuasive sanctions including a ban in the EU in case of repeated serious breaches threatening the life or safety of people," he said.

☆ TikTok CEO to meet EU antitrust chief Vestager on Tuesday
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-06 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: 1 min

BRUSSELS, Jan 6 (Reuters) - TikTok Chief Executive Shou Zi Chew will meet the European Union's antitrust chief Margrethe Vestager in Brussels on Jan. 10, a calendar released by the European Commission showed on Friday. Chew will also meet Values and Transparency Commissioner Vera Jourova and European Commissioner for Home Affairs Ylva Johansson on the same day, the calendar showed. A spokesman for the European Commission said the meetings could be expected to cover issues such as the protection of personal data by online platforms such as TikTok and the implementation of the EU's Digital Services Act. He declined to comment on further specific details of the meetings or who requested them. Reporting by Sudip Kar-Gupta and Bart Meijer Editing by David GoodmanOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ A top European official seemed to threaten Elon Musk with sanctions over his 'arbitrary suspension' of journalists amid the jet-tracking saga
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-16 | by ( Pete Syme | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Věra Jourová, a European Union vice president, criticized Elon Musk's "arbitrary" bans on journalists. She said that Twitter could face sanctions, citing the union's laws on free speech. After Musk's laid off thousands of staff, Twitter closed its Brussels office responsible for complying with EU laws. Věra Jourová, the EU vice president for values and transparency, tweeted on Friday morning: "News about arbitrary suspension of journalists on Twitter is worrying." Musk was also condemned by the German foreign office for suspending the journalists, while a senior government official threatened to leave the platform.

☆ The EU warns Elon Musk that Twitter could be banned if it doesn't comply with content moderation laws: FT
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-01 | by ( Huileng Tan | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Musk told Breton repeatedly that he thought the EU's Digital Services Act was "very sensible." Breton told Musk Twitter must comply with a list of rules, including doing away with an "arbitrary" approach to reinstating banned accounts, the FT reported. The regulations refer to the EU Digital Services Act which came into force on November 16. Breton told Musk Twitter faces an EU-wide ban if it doesn't comply with the law, the FT reported. Per the law, Twitter could also be fined up to 6% of its global turnover for any breaches.

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