EU Bolsters Fight Against Disinformation with Strengthened Code of Conduct, Major Platforms Sign On, X Remains Absent
Brussels, February 14, 2025 – In a significant move to combat the pervasive spread of online disinformation, over 40 major digital platforms, including tech giants Google, Meta, Microsoft, TikTok, and Facebook, have formally committed to a reinforced code of conduct within the European Union. This agreement marks a crucial step in the EU’s ongoing efforts to regulate online content and protect its citizens from manipulation and harmful information. Notably absent from the list of signatories is Elon Musk’s social media platform, X (formerly Twitter), which withdrew from the original code in May 2023 and has consistently criticized the EU’s content moderation policies.
The strengthened code of conduct builds upon the foundation laid by the Digital Services Act (DSA), a landmark piece of legislation implemented by the EU to hold online platforms accountable for the content they host. The DSA mandates that digital companies actively police online content and take measures to mitigate the dissemination of misinformation and disinformation. It represents a cornerstone of the EU’s regulatory framework for online spaces and has become a source of contention between the EU and some US-based tech companies, including the new US administration.
The timing of this announcement comes on the heels of criticism from US Vice President JD Vance, who voiced his disapproval of the DSA during a recent AI summit in Paris. Vance argued against government intervention in controlling access to information, asserting that adults should be free to access diverse viewpoints, even those deemed "misinformation" by authorities. The EU has refrained from directly addressing Vance’s remarks but has reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring a safe online environment for European citizens, emphasizing the importance of protection against manipulation and disinformation.
The EU views the strengthened code of conduct as a significant benchmark for evaluating compliance with the DSA when it becomes fully applicable in July. The code incorporates provisions such as fact-checking, which the EU considers an effective content moderation strategy. However, it stops short of mandating fact-checking, allowing platforms some flexibility in their approach. The inclusion of Meta, despite CEO Mark Zuckerberg’s past criticisms of EU regulations and the company’s decision to halt fact-checking operations in the US, underscores the complex relationship between tech giants and regulatory bodies.
While the code represents a step forward in the fight against disinformation, it is not without its challenges. The voluntary nature of the code raises questions about its enforceability. An EU official acknowledged that platforms cannot be compelled to remain committed to the code if they choose to withdraw. However, the official emphasized that signing the code does not guarantee compliance and platforms must demonstrate tangible efforts to combat disinformation effectively. The EU’s commitment to rigorous monitoring and enforcement underscores the serious nature of the fight against online disinformation.
The code’s signatories represent a broad spectrum of online platforms, including Adobe, LinkedIn, Twitch, Vimeo, and YouTube, highlighting the widespread recognition of the need for greater accountability and responsibility in online spaces. The inclusion of these platforms, along with major players like Google, Meta, and Microsoft, signifies a collective effort to address the challenges posed by disinformation and create a safer, more trustworthy online environment for users. The absence of X, however, remains a significant gap in this collective effort, raising concerns about the platform’s commitment to combating disinformation within the EU framework. The ongoing tension between X and the EU over compliance with the DSA continues to be a focal point in the broader debate about online content moderation and the role of regulatory bodies in shaping the digital landscape.