UPDATE — JULY 2025: The European Commission has launched formal proceedings against Meta over potential violations of the Digital Services Act (DSA). The case focuses on disinformation risks, political content demotion, and the retirement of election-monitoring tools such as CrowdTangle. Although the investigation began ahead of the June 2024 European Parliament elections, it remains ongoing as the EU ramps up DSA enforcement on platform accountability and civic transparency.
ORIGINAL NEWS STORY:
European Commission Investigates Meta for Potential Breaches of DSA
In a move aimed at safeguarding European citizens from targeted disinformation and manipulation, the European Commission has initiated formal proceedings to assess whether Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, has violated the Digital Services Act (DSA). Commission President Ursula von der Leyen underscored the importance of upholding digital regulations, particularly during democratic elections, stating, “Big digital platforms must live up to their obligations to put enough resources into this and today’s decision shows that we are serious about compliance.” She thanked Prime Minister Fiala of the Czech Republic for raising the issue at the European level and acknowledged Belgium’s activation of the emergency mechanism for information exchange between Member States.
Suspected Infringements
The Commission suspects Meta of failing to meet several DSA duties. Areas of concern include deceptive advertising, political content visibility, and the removal of real-time election-monitoring tools. Officials argue that Meta’s approach to political content—which reduces its visibility on Facebook and Instagram feeds—may violate transparency and user rights.
The Commission also flagged the loss of CrowdTangle. Meta retired the tool without offering a replacement, limiting researchers’ and officials’ ability to monitor civic discourse ahead of the European Parliament elections. Investigators will also examine whether Meta’s systems for flagging illegal content and handling user complaints fall short of DSA standards.
Next Steps
The Commission based its decision on Meta’s risk assessment report, responses to formal requests for information, and public reporting. Formal proceedings allow EU officials to gather additional evidence, impose interim measures, or accept commitments from Meta. The company must cooperate and provide the required information quickly.
Need Help?
For insights on how EU AI regulations, as well as global regulations, could impact you, consider reaching out to BABL AI. Their team of Audit Experts is equipped to offer valuable insights and address any concerns.
