Brussels is preparing to launch an investigation into Meta’s handling of Russian disinformation amid fears the social media giant is not doing enough to prevent the spread of Kremlin propaganda.
The Facebook and Instagram parent is facing a probe from the European Commission after policymakers have accused Vladimir Putin of using social media as a “weapon of mass manipulation”.
EU watchdogs are reportedly concerned that Meta has not done enough to halt Russia’s disinformation campaign, particularly in the run-up to Europe’s parliamentary elections in June.
Brussels is investigating Meta over suspected breaches of the bloc’s Digital Services Act, which can lead to billions of euros in fines.
The European Commission declined to comment on the planned investigation, which was first reported by Politico.
However, it comes after it emerged earlier this month that a Russian disinformation group, dubbed “Doppelganger”, has sought to target French and German Facebook users with disinformation.
It has done this by creating pages that mimic real news organisations, while also paying for sponsored posts to publish propaganda relating to Russia’s war in Ukraine.
Meta has previously said it has blocked thousands of pages believed to be linked to the disinformation group.
They should also do an investigation over spread of Israeli propaganda.
Just look at what Germany did to Varoufakis, or what reddit is doing in general and especally on /r/worldnews. What a farce. UNRWA was defamed and defunded without any evidence and now its kind of a common perception that it is an HAMAS group etc.
Fun-Awareness-3971 on
Too late
IIDenis on
This means that it is no coincidence that accounts of Ukrainian figures regarding russian aggression were banned
JackieMortes on
Yeah good luck with that. Some parts of social media are just infested with vermin, there’s no other way of putting it. The only way now to not go crazy online is to find and fortify an information bubble.
A_norny_mousse on
Facebook owner means Meta here. Just for clarification, I’m not insinuating anything. the phrasing tripped me up.
FWIW, I don’t think it’s too late but I do wish they’d hurry up.
Also something similar should have happened on several occasions already, probably going back to the Brexit referendum.
Educational_Push2811 on
Better late than not at all. But facebook, as well as instagram and others have a massive problem of preventing the marketplace of ideas to turn into the warzone of propaganda.
Sometimes I wish social media would have never existed.
MaximumMeet5 on
Great, Twitter next!
King-Owl-House on
“I’m sorry. We will do better.”
Exotic-Advantage7329 on
Of course you fucking idiots, it’s Cambridge analytica all over again. You cannot tell me these idiots are just now thinking that.
11 Comments
**From The Telegraph:**
Brussels is preparing to launch an investigation into Meta’s handling of Russian disinformation amid fears the social media giant is not doing enough to prevent the spread of Kremlin propaganda.
The Facebook and Instagram parent is facing a probe from the European Commission after policymakers have accused Vladimir Putin of using social media as a “weapon of mass manipulation”.
EU watchdogs are reportedly concerned that Meta has not done enough to halt Russia’s disinformation campaign, particularly in the run-up to Europe’s parliamentary elections in June.
Brussels is investigating Meta over suspected breaches of the bloc’s Digital Services Act, which can lead to billions of euros in fines.
The European Commission declined to comment on the planned investigation, which was first reported by Politico.
However, it comes after it emerged earlier this month that a Russian disinformation group, dubbed “Doppelganger”, has sought to target French and German Facebook users with disinformation.
It has done this by creating pages that mimic real news organisations, while also paying for sponsored posts to publish propaganda relating to Russia’s war in Ukraine.
Meta has previously said it has blocked thousands of pages believed to be linked to the disinformation group.
**Read more here:** [https://www.telegraph.co.uk/business/2024/04/29/facebook-owner-faces-eu-investigation-russia-propaganda/](https://www.telegraph.co.uk/business/2024/04/29/facebook-owner-faces-eu-investigation-russia-propaganda/)
They should also do an investigation over spread of Israeli propaganda.
Just look at what Germany did to Varoufakis, or what reddit is doing in general and especally on /r/worldnews. What a farce. UNRWA was defamed and defunded without any evidence and now its kind of a common perception that it is an HAMAS group etc.
Too late
This means that it is no coincidence that accounts of Ukrainian figures regarding russian aggression were banned
Yeah good luck with that. Some parts of social media are just infested with vermin, there’s no other way of putting it. The only way now to not go crazy online is to find and fortify an information bubble.
Facebook owner means Meta here. Just for clarification, I’m not insinuating anything. the phrasing tripped me up.
FWIW, I don’t think it’s too late but I do wish they’d hurry up.
Also something similar should have happened on several occasions already, probably going back to the Brexit referendum.
Better late than not at all. But facebook, as well as instagram and others have a massive problem of preventing the marketplace of ideas to turn into the warzone of propaganda.
Sometimes I wish social media would have never existed.
Great, Twitter next!
“I’m sorry. We will do better.”
Of course you fucking idiots, it’s Cambridge analytica all over again. You cannot tell me these idiots are just now thinking that.
Wait til they hear about this ”X” platform…