Google Rejects EU’s Push for Fact-Checking Integration in Search and YouTube
In a move that sets the stage for a potential clash with European regulators, Google has informed the European Union that it will not integrate fact-checking from independent organizations into its Search and YouTube platforms. This decision comes as the EU prepares to solidify its Digital Services Act (DSA), a landmark piece of legislation designed to combat the spread of disinformation online. Google’s refusal to comply with the fact-checking requirement marks a significant departure from the voluntary commitments it previously made under the EU’s Code of Practice on Disinformation.
Google’s stance was communicated in a letter from Kent Walker, the company’s President of Global Affairs, to Renate Nikolay, the European Commission’s Commissioner for Digital Society and Economy. Walker argues that incorporating fact-checking into Search and YouTube is "simply isn’t appropriate or effective" for their services. He further stated that Google will withdraw from all fact-checking commitments outlined in the Code before they are legally enshrined under the DSA.
The EU’s Code of Practice, introduced in 2022, encourages signatories to collaborate with fact-checkers across all EU member states, ensure fact-checked information is available in all EU languages, and dismantle financial incentives that fuel the spread of disinformation. The Code also mandates that platforms simplify the process for users to identify, understand, and report disinformation, alongside measures to label political advertising and analyze malicious accounts, bots, and deepfakes that contribute to the spread of false information. However, these commitments currently lack legal enforceability.
Google’s current content moderation practices do not include fact-checking. While the company initially agreed to some of the Code’s provisions, it expressed reservations about others, notably the requirement for comprehensive collaboration with fact-checking organizations. Google’s previous agreement stated that its platforms would "endeavour to reach agreements with fact-checking organizations," but acknowledged that it would not have complete control over the process. This hesitancy foreshadowed their current outright rejection of the requirement.
The exact contours of the DSA’s final form remain unclear. While the EU is actively discussing with signatories which voluntary commitments will transition into legally binding obligations, there’s no definitive timeline for the Code’s official integration into the DSA. The Commission previously indicated that the DSA’s full implementation, including the codified disinformation provisions, is expected no earlier than January 2025.
Google’s decision to withdraw from fact-checking commitments poses a challenge to the EU’s efforts to curb online disinformation. It remains to be seen how the European Commission will respond to Google’s defiance and what implications this will have for the broader implementation of the DSA. The clash highlights the ongoing tension between regulatory efforts to control online content and the platforms’ assertions of autonomy over their moderation practices. The coming months will likely witness intense negotiations and potential legal maneuvering as both sides seek to define the future landscape of online information regulation.