EU’s New Rules Target Disinformation—Are They Working?

A new report from the European Digital Media Observatory (EDMO) finds that major tech companies—including Google, Meta, Microsoft, and TikTok—are falling short in their efforts to combat disinformation under EU guidelines. The assessment, which reviewed compliance with the EU’s Code of Practice on Disinformation from January to June 2024, highlights a "clear gap" between the companies’ stated commitments and the actual, verifiable evidence of their implementation, especially in areas like transparency, independent oversight, and measurable outcomes.

Despite some initiatives, the report criticizes these platforms for limited, inconsistent, and largely symbolic actions, noting a lack of comprehensive reporting, meaningful user engagement data, and accessible tools for researchers. The study warns that unless these companies significantly improve their efforts, the code risks remaining merely performative, particularly as its commitments are set to become legally binding under the Digital Services Act from July 2025.

Source: EuroNews