Facebook, Google and Twitter must do more in fight against fake news - EC

The European Commission has called on Facebook, Google and Twitter to do more to combat the spread of fake news.

The three tech giants have signed up the Commission’s Code of Practice against disinformation and have been asked to provide monthly reports in the build-up to the European Parliament elections in May.

But the Commission said on Thursday: “We need to see more progress on the commitments made by online platforms to fight disinformation. Platforms have not provided enough details showing that new policies and tools are being deployed in a timely manner and with sufficient resources across all EU member states.

“The reports provide too little information on the actual results of the measures already taken.”

It continued: “The quality of the information provided varies from one signatory of the Code to another depending on the commitment areas covered by each report. This clearly shows that there is room for improvement for all signatories.”

Politicians are keen to crack down on the spread of false information online, while companies want to avoid strict legislation. Companies and trade bodies therefore signed up to the voluntary Code in October.

But with election campaigning for the European Parliament elections starting in earnest next month, Brussels is keen to ensure that the threat of fake news and foreign interference is being addressed. There will also be national elections across various member states this year, including Belgium, Poland and Greece.

The Commission said it was “concerned by the situation” and urged Facebook, Google and Twitter to do more “to help ensure the integrity of the European Parliament elections”.

Julian King, the Commissioner for security, added in a tweet: “Sadly they have fallen further behind. They need to live up to the standards we are asking of them, and that they have signed up to.”