Brussels tells internet giants it will ramp up regulation unless they tackle fake news more effectively by the end of 2019
Facebook, Google and Twitter have been given ten months to make progress by the EU commission
BRUSSELS has warned Facebook and Google it will toughen up their regulation unless they clean up their act before the end of the year.
The EU Commission said it was disappointed with the pair and Twitter for failing to provide enough data on how they’re tackling fake news.
It rapped the social media giants for withholding “hard numbers” on action against misinformation and malicious advertising.
Eurocrats handed the trio a 10 month ultimatum to put in place better protections or it will pass new laws to force them to.
In a statement the Commission said: “We need to see more progress on the commitments made by online platforms to fight disinformation.
“We encourage the platforms to accelerate their efforts, as we are concerned by the situation.
“By the end of 2019, the Commission will carry out a comprehensive assessment of the Code’s initial 12-month period.
“Should the results prove unsatisfactory, the Commission may propose further actions, including of a regulatory nature.”
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The criticism came in the Commission’s second monthly update on the progress of tech giants in tackling fake news.
A spokeswoman refused to comment on how the bloc could punish the companies but didn’t rule out fines, curbs on their operations or even breaking them up.
Eurocrats launched the new monitoring system at the start of the year over fears Russian disinformation could affect the outcome of the EU elections in May.
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