Why EU Seeks Help From Big Tech?
In response to worries about foreign governments meddling in domestic elections, the European Commission unveiled a strategy on Wednesday that looks to online platforms and influencers to help combat misinformation and advance democracy.
The EU’s Digital Services Act, which has been in effect since 2022, already requires
Alphabet’s Google, Microsoft, Meta Platforms, Elon Musk’s X, TikTok, and other online platforms to do more to combat harmful and illegal content.
With the EU executive establishing a DSA incidents and crisis protocol to enable coordination between authorities and respond quickly to large-scale operations, the European Democracy Shield strategy anticipates that they will go above and beyond.
Google, Microsoft, Meta, TikTok, and other companies that have signed a voluntary Code of Conduct on disinformation may be obliged to work harder to identify and label AI-generated and manipulated content on their platforms.
By connecting the dots, the Democracy Shield ensures that Europe’s actors and resources collaborate successfully to defend our common values. Michael McGrath, the EU Justice Commissioner, stated at a press conference that “the challenge is clear and let us make no mistake, the stakes are indeed very high.”
Influencers’ role in online political campaigns was also highlighted by the Commission, which announced that it would create a voluntary network of influencers to spread awareness of pertinent EU regulations. A recently established European Center for Democratic Resilience will facilitate information sharing and coordinate the resources and expertise of EU nations.
