Hey there! 📣 Big news in the world of social media! The European Union just launched fresh investigations into Facebook and Instagram over some serious child safety concerns. 😱
So, what's going on? The EU suspects that these platforms, both owned by Meta, might be dropping the ball when it comes to protecting young users online. The worry is that their algorithms could be exploiting kids' inexperience, leading them down addictive paths and even exposing them to disturbing content. 🕳️🐇
Under the EU's new Digital Services Act (DSA), big tech companies are required to step up and tackle illegal and harmful content. Failing to do so could mean hefty fines—up to 6% of their annual global revenue! 💸
The European Commission is particularly concerned about how Meta checks users' ages. They believe that the age verification methods might not be strong enough to keep inappropriate content away from younger eyes. 👀
Thierry Breton, the European Commissioner, didn't hold back. He said, \"We are not convinced that Meta has done enough to comply with the DSA obligations—to mitigate the risks of negative effects to the physical and mental health of young Europeans on its platforms Facebook and Instagram.\" 🗨️
But Meta isn't staying quiet. A spokesperson responded, \"We want young people to have safe, age-appropriate experiences online and have spent a decade developing more than 50 tools and policies designed to protect them.\" 💪 They emphasized that protecting kids online is a challenge the whole industry faces and they're ready to work with the European Commission on this issue.
This isn't the first time Facebook and Instagram have been under the EU's microscope. They're already being investigated for not doing enough to stop foreign disinformation, especially with important EU elections coming up. 🗳️
What happens next? Only time will tell! ⏳ But one thing's for sure—the safety of young people online is a hot topic, and all eyes are on how Meta will navigate these concerns. Stay tuned for more updates! 📲
Reference(s):
Facebook and Instagram face EU investigation over child safety risks
cgtn.com
