Meta Charged by EU Over Handling of Illegal Content, Faces New Digital Services Act Scrutiny
Brussels, Belgium — The European Commission has officially opened proceedings against Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, under the landmark Digital Services Act (DSA). The core accusation? Meta's alleged failure to provide users with a sufficiently simple and accessible mechanism to report illegal content. This move signals a significant escalation in the EU's ongoing efforts to hold Big Tech accountable for content moderation practices on their vast platforms.
The Commission's preliminary findings suggest that Meta's current reporting tools, particularly across Facebook and Instagram, may not meet the DSA's stringent requirements for user-friendly complaint channels. Specifically, regulators are scrutinizing whether these mechanisms are actually easy to use and effective for flagging everything from hate speech and disinformation to counterfeit goods and child sexual abuse material. This isn't just about having a report button; it's about the clarity, prominence, and efficiency of the entire process from a user's perspective.
For Meta, this investigation could carry substantial weight. Under the DSA, which became fully enforceable for very large online platforms (VLOPs) like Meta last August, companies found in breach can face penalties of up to 6% of their global annual turnover. Given Meta's multi-billion dollar revenues, such a fine could amount to billions of euros, not to mention the reputational damage and the operational costs of overhauling its existing systems.
"We suspect that Meta isn't doing enough to make it simple for users to flag content that shouldn't be on their platforms," stated a spokesperson for the European Commission, emphasizing the DSA's goal of fostering a safer online environment. "The user experience in reporting illegal content is foundational to this Act."
This isn't Meta's first run-in with EU regulators over content management. The company has previously faced intense scrutiny and fines regarding data privacy and competition. However, the DSA represents a new frontier, placing explicit legal obligations on platforms to proactively manage systemic risks and ensure user safety through transparent and effective content moderation. The current investigation delves into specific aspects of Meta's DSA compliance, including its terms of service, its content moderation resources, and the transparency of its content recommendation systems.
What's more, the Commission is also looking into whether Meta's internal complaint handling system is transparent and effective enough, and if it's providing users with adequate remedies. The DSA mandates that platforms must not only have a reporting tool but also a robust internal system for reviewing those reports and allowing users to appeal decisions.
Meta has acknowledged the opening of the proceedings. "We are reviewing the Commission's decision and will continue to cooperate with them to demonstrate our compliance with the DSA," a company spokesperson told reporters, underscoring the company's commitment to user safety and its efforts to combat illegal content. They typically highlight their significant investments in content moderation teams and AI tools designed to detect and remove harmful material.
The outcome of this investigation will undoubtedly set a precedent for how the DSA is enforced across other VLOPs. It underscores the EU's unwavering resolve to transform the digital landscape, pushing tech giants to move beyond voluntary commitments to legally binding obligations that prioritize user safety and platform accountability. The clock is now ticking for Meta to demonstrate that its sophisticated platforms can also be simple and safe when it comes to reporting the dark side of online content.
