Why is the European Union probing Facebook and Instagram?

Sub: Science and tech

Sec: Awareness in IT

Context:

The European Union has opened a fresh investigation into Meta’s Facebook and Instagram over suspicions that they are failing to protect children on their platform.

More on news:

The 27-nation bloc has said it is concerned that Facebook and Instagram’s recommendation engine could exploit the weaknesses and inexperience of children and stimulate addictive behavior.
The commission will look into Meta’s use of age verification tools to prevent children under the age of 13 from accessing Facebook and Instagram.
It will find out whether the company is complying with the bloc’s Digital Service Act (DSA) and enforcing a high level of privacy, safety and security for minors.

What is the investigation’s trajectory?

The EU regulator will now carry out an in-depth investigation as a matter of priority and gather evidence by sending additional requests for information, conducting interviews and inspections.
The commission can also accept commitments made by Meta to remedy the issues raised during the investigation.

What has Meta done to protect children on its platforms?

Meta announced it was testing an AI-driven “nudity protection” tool that would find and blur images containing nudity that were sent to minors on the app’s messaging system.
The company said it would roll out measures to protect users under 18 years of age by tightening content restrictions and boosting parental supervision tools.

Other investigations against Meta in the EU?

The regulator opened an investigation, accusing Meta of having failed to tackle deceptive advertising and disinformation in the run-up to the European Parliament elections.
The antitrust regulator’s move against Meta stemmed from the platform being used as a potential source of disinformation by Russia, China and Iran to influence voters in the EU.

What is the EU Digital Service Act (DSA)?

The DSA is a set of common rules on intermediaries’ obligations and accountability across the single market, and ensures higher protection to all EU users, irrespective of their country.
The DSA regulates online intermediaries and platforms such as marketplaces, social networks, content-sharing platforms, app stores, and online travel and accommodation platforms.
Its main goal is to prevent illegal and harmful activities online and the spread of disinformation.
It ensures user safety, protects fundamental rights, and creates a fair and open online platform environment.
The DSA requires online platforms to take measures to prevent and remove illegal or harmful content, such as hate speech, terrorism, child abuse – or those that promote illegal goods.
DSA also requires that platforms give users the means to report this type of content