- Twitter has withdrawn from the European Union’s Code of Practice on Disinformation, with the company being the only major tech platform not submitting a complete report under the code. The EU’s executive arm stated that Twitter’s report lacked data and commitments, leading to the company’s exit from the code.
- Fighting disinformation will become a legal obligation under the EU Digital Services Act from Aug. 25, with Twitter qualifying as a “very large online platform.” This will require the company to address harmful content and submit annual risk assessments to the commission.
- The EU’s Digital Services Act aims to create a safer online environment by holding tech platforms accountable for the content they host. Failure to comply with the act could result in fines or even a ban from the commission.
Twitter has announced that it is withdrawing from the European Union’s disinformation code, according to a statement released by the company on Monday. The code was launched in 2018 and aims to promote high standards of integrity and transparency online.
In a letter to the European Union, Twitter claimed that it was withdrawing from the code due to concerns about the lack of uniform standards among the signatories. The company also alleged that there were a number of organizations that had signed up to the code but were not fully committed to following its principles.
The decision by Twitter has drawn criticism from European officials, who have expressed disappointment that the social media giant is pulling out of a code that is aimed at promoting responsible online behavior. Some officials have suggested that the move could lead to increased disinformation on the platform.
The European Union has been actively campaigning for greater transparency and accountability online, particularly in the wake of allegations that foreign actors have attempted to interfere in various elections across the continent. The disinformation code is one of several initiatives aimed at combatting fake news and other forms of online manipulation.
Twitter’s decision to withdraw from the code highlights the ongoing challenges facing both tech companies and governments in the fight against disinformation. While the company has insisted that it remains committed to promoting responsible usage of its platform, the move is likely to raise questions about the effectiveness of voluntary codes of conduct in the tech industry.