On Wednesday this week, the EU Commission sent a request for information to YouTube, Snapchat and TikTok based on the Digital Services Act (DSA). It calls on platform operators to provide more information about the design and functionality of their recommendation systems. This includes, for example, what content is shown to users in their timeline and news feed and for what reasons. Under the DSA, platforms must assess the risks posed by their recommendation systems and mitigate them appropriately.
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This also includes risks to the mental health of users and the spread of harmful content. For example, these may arise from interactions that are based on the structure of the relevant algorithm, Commission explains its moveThe three operators will have to respond by November 15.
ECJ: Meta must minimize use of data for advertising purposesFor YouTube and Snapchat, the Brussels government institute initially generally requires information about the parameters their algorithms use to recommend content to users. Above all, it takes into account the potential impact on the voting process of those affected, the discourse of civil society and the psychological well-being of users. The Commission is concerned about algorithm-based addictive behaviour. The request also aims to protect minors and the spread of illegal content, including drug-related spas and mass hate speech.
gdpr procedures are in the room
For example, on TikTok, the executive authority is interested in how to prevent manipulation of the service by harmful actors. Furthermore, the company, which is part of Chinese conglomerate ByteDance, should clarify how it mitigates risks related to elections, media pluralism and civil society discourse that could be increased by some recommendation systems.
At the same time, the Commission is threatening “next steps”, which it intends to determine based on its assessment of the responses. This could result in the formal initiation of proceedings based on the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). The government body also states that it can impose penalty for incorrect, incomplete or misleading information in the answers. If those contacted do not respond at all, fines may be imposed.
Algorithms promote “disinformation and polarization”
Since the entry into force of the DSA, the Commission has focused heavily on compliance with the provisions of the Platform Act on recommendation systems. They are also at the center of a comparable request for information to Amazon in July. Shortly before that, the watchdog had also made similar inquiries to Chinese e-commerce giant Teemu and Shein. Relevant algorithms are also a key part of the ongoing infringement proceedings against TikTok, AliExpress, Facebook and Instagram.
Green MEP Alexandra Gies, who helped negotiate the DSA, welcomed the new move. He warned that the business model associated with recommendation systems has long been a threat to democracy, “because it enables the spread of disinformation and polarization.” The algorithms used determine which content spreads particularly well on the platform. So far they have mainly rewarded contributions based on hatred, agitation and extreme polarization. Specifically, this means that such extreme postings “spread much more quickly than other content, first on the platform and then in other media, including talk shows.”
According to Geese, since whistleblower Francis Haugen’s revelations, it has become known that Facebook, for example, was aware of these effects. Nevertheless, Meta’s respective networks did not correct the algorithm “because the company benefited from the targeted and massive spread of hate and disinformation.” The MP demands that these programs must no longer remain a black box for companies: otherwise “we as a society and as politicians have no chance to stand up to them.”
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