European Union investigates Meta's electoral politics

THE EU has officially open A significant investigation In Meta For It is alleged chess has withdraw election disinformation. While THE European Commissions statement doesn't explicitly mention Russia, Meta confirmed has Engadget THE EU probe targets THE country Doppleganger campaign, A online disinformation operation push pro-Kremlin propaganda.

Bloomberg's sources Also said THE probe was concentrate on THE Russian disinformation operation, describing he as A series of "attempts has reproduce THE appearance of traditional news sources while churning out content that East favorable has Russian President Vladimir Poutine policies. »

THE investigation come A day After France said 27 of THE the EU 29 member States had has been target by pro-Russian online Propaganda in front of European parliamentary elections In June. On Monday, France Ministry of Stranger Business Jean-Noel Beam exhorted social platforms has block websites "participant In A stranger interference operation. »

A Meta spokesperson said Engadget that THE business had has been has THE foreground of expose Russia Doppleganger campaign, First of all highlighted he In 2022. THE business said he has Since investigation, disturbed And blocked tens of thousands of THE of the network assets. THE Facebook And Instagram owner said he remains on high alerts has monitor THE network while affirming Doppleganger has struggle has with success build organic public For THE pro-Putin fake news.

Meta

THE European Commissions President said The meta platforms, Facebook And Instagram, can to have violated THE Digital Services Act (DSA), THE landmark legislation pass In 2022 that gives power THE EU has regulate social platforms. THE law allow THE THIS has, if necessary, impose heavy fines on violate companies — up has six percent of A the company global annual turnover, potentially changing how social companies function.

In A statement has Engadget, Meta said, "We to have A well established process For identify And mitigate risks on OUR platforms. We look Before has continue OUR cooperation with THE European Commission And provide them with further details of This work. »

THE THIS probe will blanket “The meta Strategies And practices relative has misleading advertisement And policy content on It is services." He Also addresses "THE unavailability of A effective third party real time civic speech And election monitoring tool in front of THE elections has THE European Parliament. »

THE last refers to has The meta disapproval of It is CrowdTangle tool, which researchers And fact checkers used For years has study how content spreads through Facebook And Instagram. Dozens of groups sign A open letter last month, saying The meta foreseen close during THE vs...