Disinformation
Reporters Without Borders files complaint against Facebook for ‘deceptive commercial practices’
Reporters Without Borders (RSF) filed a complaint against Facebook for "deceptive commercial practices" on Monday (22 March), accusing the social media giant of not respecting its commitments related to fighting disinformation and moderating online hate, particularly targeting journalists. EURACTIV France reports.
Twitter removes hundreds of accounts linked to Iran, Russia, Armenia
Twitter said on Tuesday (23 February) it had taken down 373 accounts which it said had ties to Russia, Armenia and Iran and had breached its platform manipulation policies.
Czech Republic is losing the information war, experts warn
The pandemic has exposed how important it is to effectively and quickly fight against disinformation campaigns. The Czech Republic has long underestimated this problem.
MEPs duped by manipulative Indian disinformation network
Researchers have unearthed a widespread, coordinated, and manipulative Indian disinformation operation in Brussels, with the creation of fake media organizations, the revival of defunct think-tanks, and even the fraudulent impersonation of dead people.
No ‘ministry of truth’, EU vows at democracy action plan launch
The European Commission unveiled on Thursday (3 December) its Democracy Action Plan, the first piece of a digital agenda package that aims to fight disinformation, enforce rules on fair competition in online public debates, and protect the integrity of elections.
Spain’s disinformation battle plan in the dock
A Spanish government plan to fight disinformation has sparked complaints from the media and the opposition, which say it limits free expression and seeks to establish a "ministry of truth".
Russian-backed organisations amplifying QAnon conspiracy theories, researchers say
Russian government-supported organisations are playing a small but increasing role amplifying conspiracy theories promoted by QAnon, raising concerns of interference in the November US election.
Facebook’s algorithm a threat to public health, doctors say
**This article has been updated with comments from the European Commission. While medical professionals continue to raise alarm of the dangers of inaccurate information on social networks, a new report estimates the content of health misinformation spreading networks on Facebook...
Facebook, Twitter pull Trump posts over coronavirus misinformation
Facebook on Wednesday (5 August) took down a post by US President Donald Trump, which the company said violated its rules against sharing misinformation about the coronavirus.
‘Utmost importance’ for transparency rules on political ads, EU report says
It is of the 'utmost importance' for the EU to do more to reign in the unregulated environment of online political advertising by establishing more stringent transparency obligations, said a European Commission-backed report on media plurality, published on Thursday (23 July).
Facebook, YouTube, Twitter to face same EU rules on hateful content as broadcasters
Facebook, Alphabet-owned YouTube, Twitter and other social media will for the first time be subject to EU broadcasting rules on hate speech and harmful content under European Commission guidelines announced on Thursday (2 July).
Twitter takes down Beijing-backed influence operation pushing coronavirus messages
Twitter on Thursday (11 June) said it removed more than 170,000 accounts tied to a Beijing-backed influence operation that deceptively spread messages favorable to the Chinese government, including about the coronavirus.
European Digital Media Observatory launched in Florence to analyse disinformation
The European Digital Media Observatory, which aims to analyse disinformation, was launched on Monday (1 June) in Florence. Funded by the EU, it brings together researchers and experts in media literacy. EURACTIV Italy reports.
Georgia targeted by fake stories of US secret labs spreading COVID-19
EU foreign ministers are discussing China on Friday (29 May), as the country started to back Russian narratives of Washington-led biological weapon development in Georgia and other post-Soviet countries. One widely circulating allegation in the internet during the pandemic claimed...
Hungarian detentions evidence of government intimidation, say critics
Two men have been detained since Tuesday (12 May) on suspicion of ‘scaremongering’ after sharing posts critical of the government on Facebook, local media reported.
EU citizens stranded as repatriation efforts face obstacles
EU citizens are facing increasing challenges to return to the bloc due to the escalating number of travel restrictions announced across the globe as a result to the coronavirus outbreak. Foreign ministers in their first-ever video conference on Monday (23...
Russian coronavirus disinformation may be for domestic audiences, expert says
While the West blames Russia for spreading disinformation about the coronavirus pandemic with the aim of sowing distrust in Western public institutions and healthcare systems, an expert has pointed out that Russia's domestic audience may actually be the main target of the disinformation campaign.
EU Rapid Alert System used amid coronavirus disinformation campaign
An EU instrument designed to monitor serious cases of disinformation has been triggered following a series of online campaigns surrounding the deadly coronavirus outbreak, the European Commission has confirmed.
Facebook’s Zuckerberg backs regulation of harmful online content
Facebook's Mark Zuckerberg on Saturday (15 February) said harmful online content should be regulated, adding that his company should be subject to a regulatory framework that is different from those used for existing media and telecoms companies.
Facebook says it dismantles Russian intelligence operation targeting Ukraine
Facebook on Wednesday (12 February) said it had suspended a network of accounts used by Russian military intelligence to seed false narratives online targeting Ukraine and other countries in Eastern Europe.
‘New generation of disinformation’ awaits next Commission, says rights group
Disinformation campaigns are becoming increasingly sophisticated and are developing almost unregulated, according to civil rights activists who say the European Commission's relying on the self-regulation of social media platforms is no longer enough.
Facebook shuts dozens of fake-news pages ahead of EU vote
Facebook has taken down nearly 80 pages spreading fake news or using tactics that appeared aimed at unfairly influencing the European Parliament vote this weekend, an NGO reported Wednesday (22 May).
European election candidates consider next steps for EU media policy
Lead candidates for the upcoming European elections are pondering ways of safeguarding the media sector's integrity in light of persistent economic challenges and emerging threats like Russian disinformation.