The European Commission has introduced new regulations aimed at major tech platforms to prevent interference in the upcoming European Parliament elections in June. These rules, outlined in the Digital Services Act, specifically target platforms with over 45 million active users in the EU, imposing fines of up to 6% of the company’s global turnover for violations. With concerns over potential Russian interference amidst the ongoing conflict in Europe, the EU seeks to safeguard the integrity of the electoral process.
Despite European elections historically garnering lower turnout compared to national ones, they remain crucial for shaping EU policy, with voters electing 705 Members of the European Parliament. Concerns over far-right nationalism and Russian influence have prompted the EU to take proactive measures to combat misinformation and manipulation during the election period. This includes ensuring transparency in political advertising and empowering users to identify and report misleading content.
The guidelines also mandate tech platforms to establish internal teams dedicated to monitoring interference risks before, during, and after elections. Additionally, they must maintain a publicly accessible repository of political ads updated in real-time, allowing third parties to track targeted content. The aim is to minimize the monetization and virality of potentially harmful content that could undermine the integrity of electoral processes.
As generative AI technology becomes increasingly sophisticated, the EU emphasizes the importance of addressing AI-generated content and deepfakes. Platforms are urged to inform users when engaging with AI-generated content and take steps to combat the spread of deceptive media. Margrethe Vestager, the EU’s executive vice-president for a Europe Fit for the Digital Age, stressed the significance of these measures in ensuring that technology serves people and upholds democratic values, especially during critical electoral periods.
