The European Commission (EC) has found that Meta, the parent company of Instagram and Facebook, and TikTok have violated the rules set by the Digital Services Act (DSA) regarding data access for researchers and content moderation.
According to the EC, Meta and TikTok failed to provide researchers with adequate access to public data as mandated by the DSA. The EC criticized the cumbersome procedures for data access, leading to incomplete and unreliable data, which has hindered research on exposure to harmful content, especially concerning minors.
Furthermore, the EC accused Meta’s platforms, Instagram and Facebook, of complicating the process of reporting illegal content for EU residents. The EC also noted that Meta’s moderation appeal mechanisms restrict users from fully explaining their disagreements, thereby limiting the effectiveness of the appeals process.
These preliminary findings from early 2024 highlight serious concerns regarding data transparency, content moderation, and user protection on popular social media platforms. Tech enthusiasts are urged to pay attention to how these violations impact user experience, research integrity, and regulatory compliance in the tech industry.
Source: TechCrunch