Brussels (The Brussels Morning Newspaper) – The European Commission has sent Meta a request for information (RFI) under the Digital Services Act (DSA).
What information has the EU requested from Meta?
Following the discontinuation of CrowdTangle on 14 August 2024, the European Commission is requesting Meta to deliver more information on the steps it has taken to comply with its obligations to provide researchers access to data that is publicly accessible on the online interface of Facebook and Instagram, as directed by the DSA, and on its projects to update its election and civic discourse monitoring functionalities.
Particularly, the EU Commission is requesting information regarding Meta’s content library and application programming interface (API), including their eligibility standards, the application process, the data that can be accessed and its functionalities.
How does the DSA influence Meta’s obligations in the EU?
On 30 April 2024, the EU Commission extended formal proceedings against Meta under the DSA, which are ongoing. One of the grievances concentrated on the non-availability of an effective third-party, real-time civic discourse and election-monitoring mechanism ahead of the elections to the EU Parliament and national elections, as well as weaknesses in Meta’s provision of access for researchers to publicly available data.
How has Meta responded to the EU Commission’s request?
To relieve the EU Commission’s concerns given the European Parliament elections, at the end of May Meta deployed the latest functionalities in CrowdTangle, notably 27 new public real-time visual dashboards, one for each Member State, to permit third-party real-time civic discourse and election monitoring. These functionalities have now been suspended.
What penalties could Meta face for non-compliance?
According to the EU Commission, Meta must provide the requested information by 6 September 2024. Based on the review of the replies, the EU Commission will determine the next steps, which could include temporary measures and non-compliance decisions. The EU Commission can also receive commitments made by Meta to remedy the problems raised in the proceedings.
According to Article 74(2) of the DSA, the EU Commission can impose penalties for incorrect, incomplete, or deceptive information in response to an RFI. In case of failure to respond, the EU Commission may issue a formal request by finding. In this case, failure to respond by the deadline could usher in the imposition of periodic penalty payments.
