Big Tech’s Disinformation Efforts Fall Short Ahead of EU’s Digital Services Act
Brussels, Belgium – May 21, 2022 – With the European Union’s Digital Services Act (DSA) looming large on the horizon, a new report has cast a shadow over the efforts of major tech companies to combat the spread of disinformation. The European Digital Media Observatory (EDMO) has found a "clear gap" between the commitments made by these platforms under the Code of Practice on Disinformation, which will be integrated into the DSA, and their actual implementation. This disparity raises concerns about the effectiveness of these platforms in addressing the pervasive issue of online disinformation.
The EDMO’s assessment, based on an evaluation of transparency reports submitted by Meta, Google, Microsoft, and TikTok, reveals a concerning trend of reactive rather than proactive approaches to disinformation. The research involved independent verification by EDMO researchers and qualitative insights gathered from expert surveys. The report criticizes the platforms for their limited transparency, inadequate support for users, fact-checkers, and researchers, and a general lack of systemic support for counter-disinformation strategies. The EDMO emphasizes that even when formal agreements are in place, their implementation frequently falls short of expectations, hindering the development of sustainable and effective solutions.
Delving into specific areas of concern, the report highlights the lack of transparency surrounding Meta’s media literacy initiatives and content labeling efforts. Programs like "We Think Digital" and in-app prompts, while seemingly well-intentioned, lack clarity regarding their geographical scope and fail to provide substantial data on user engagement or measurable outcomes at the national level. This lack of transparency obscures the true effectiveness of these programs and hinders efforts to assess their impact on combating disinformation. Similarly, Microsoft’s partnerships with services like NewsGuard, while commendable, lack sufficient evidence of reach or effectiveness. The absence of user engagement figures, reported outcomes, and indications of scale makes it difficult to gauge the true impact of these collaborations.
Google’s prebunking initiatives and features like "More About This Page" also face criticism for their lack of accountability. While these initiatives appear promising in theory, the absence of concrete data on user reach or effectiveness makes it challenging to assess their real-world impact. The report underscores the need for greater transparency and data sharing to demonstrate the effectiveness of these efforts in curbing the spread of disinformation. TikTok, while demonstrating some positive aspects with its broader range of national campaigns and fact-checking partnerships, still falls short in providing country-specific details and consistent engagement data. This lack of granularity hinders efforts to understand the platform’s impact on disinformation across different regions and demographics.
The EDMO report further identifies weaknesses in the governance of sensitive data access across all platforms. While Meta, Microsoft, and Google reference pilot programs, they fail to provide substantial public documentation on governance frameworks or outcomes. TikTok’s participation in an EDMO data access pilot, while a step in the right direction, lacks conclusive evidence regarding the effectiveness and transparency of its governance efforts. This lack of clarity raises questions about the platforms’ commitment to responsible data handling and the adequacy of their safeguards against misuse.
Cooperation with fact-checkers, a crucial element of the DSA, also reveals inconsistencies across platforms. Meta, despite listing numerous activities and partnerships, fails to provide a systematic evaluation of their impact. Microsoft’s engagement in this area remains minimal and vague. In contrast, Google and TikTok receive positive recognition for their well-integrated processes, although they still fall short in providing comprehensive information. The report emphasizes the need for greater transparency and independent verification to ensure the effectiveness of fact-checking partnerships and their contribution to combating disinformation.
Overall, the EDMO report paints a concerning picture of Big Tech’s preparedness for the DSA. While some platforms demonstrate positive steps in certain areas, none fully meet the requirements for transparency, independent verification, and robust impact reporting. Meta’s efforts are hampered by poor disclosure and a lack of meaningful impact data, while Microsoft’s performance remains particularly weak across all commitments. The report notes that Microsoft’s performance should be considered in the context of the specific risk profile of its services. The findings underscore the urgency for these platforms to significantly improve their efforts in addressing disinformation and demonstrate a stronger commitment to transparency and accountability. The DSA’s impending enforcement will put these platforms under greater scrutiny, and their ability to effectively combat disinformation will be a key factor in determining their compliance with the new regulations. The EDMO report serves as a timely reminder of the challenges that lie ahead and the need for concerted action to address the pervasive issue of online disinformation.