Control of content on social networks: Thierry Breton welcomes “a major turning point”

The message seems to have gotten through. In recent weeks, Brussels has increased pressure on digital giants to control their social networks, flooded with hateful messages and violent videos since the Hamas attacks against Israel. The European Commission thus wrote to the managers of large platforms, including Meta (Facebook, Instagram), digital services, the Digital Services Act (DSA). Since August 25, these platforms have been required to control and moderate content on their social networks, under penalty of heavy fines of up to 6% of their turnover.

“All the platforms responded to us within 24 hours, telling us the means they were putting in place to fight against a potential surge,” explained Thierry Breton, the European Commissioner for the Internal Market, responsible for defense and digital issues, on Sunday. guest of the Grand Jury RTL-Le Figaro-M6-Paris Première. I must admit that Elon Musk was a little surprised that the regulator was now calling him to account and not the other way around.”

According to the French Commissioner, “a major turning point is occurring.” The Chinese social network, TiK Tok, thus communicated to Brussels that it had deleted 4 million videos notably “advocating terrorism”. On the social network, some 6,000 people (moderators), including 700 in France, are responsible for tracking down “illicit” messages. For its part, Meta removes 800,000 videos per day from its social networks. What about social network X? “It’s a little less, but they are progressing,” notes Thierry Breton. The social network which, since the takeover of Elon Musk a year ago has significantly reduced the number of moderators, is in the process of recruiting them. In mid-October, Brussels opened an investigation targeting social network »

Brussels is also working on a major legislative project on artificial intelligence, the AI ​​Act. This plans to limit risks by prohibiting certain uses, such as “social rating” systems or facial recognition. For uses deemed “high risk” (autonomous driving, granting of bank credits, etc.), it will impose obligations, such as minimizing the error rate and discriminatory bias. “The third trilogue will take place at the end of the year,” assures Thierry Breton. In this institutional ritual specific to Brussels, the European Parliament, the Commission and the Council, which represents the Member States, seek to find a compromise around a legislative project.