The European Commission on Thursday demanded explanations from eight major online services, including TikTok, Facebook, Google, YouTube and X, on how they manage the risks linked to the distribution of manipulated content (“deepfakes”).
Three months before the European elections, Brussels is particularly concerned about the impact on the electoral campaign of these sounds, photos and videos rigged using generative artificial intelligence.
Russia in particular is regularly accused of attempts to manipulate opinion in Western countries through the promotion of falsified information on social networks.
The Commission also requested explanations on Thursday from the professional social network LinkedIn, from the American group Microsoft.
It is suspected of exploiting certain sensitive personal data of its users (sexual orientation, political opinions, etc.) for advertising targeting purposes.
The DSA imposes new obligations on online platforms in their user profiling practices, and transparency in the parameters used for targeted advertisements.
This request for information, like that concerning “deepfakes”, is not an indictment at this stage.
They constitute the first step in a procedure which could lead to the opening of a formal investigation, then to heavy fines in the event of proven infringements.
The regulation on digital services has already applied since the end of August to the most powerful online platforms such as X, TikTok as well as the main services of Meta (Facebook, Instagram), Apple, Google, Microsoft or Amazon.
In total, 22 very large internet players, including three pornographic sites, were placed under the direct surveillance of the European Commission, which recruited more than a hundred experts in Brussels to assume its new role as policeman of the digital.
Violators face fines of up to 6% of their global annual turnover, or even a ban on operating in Europe in the event of serious and repeated violations.
As part of the formal investigations opened against X, TikTok and AliExpress, the Commission is now working to collect evidence, for example by sending requests for additional information, conducting interviews or inspections.
No time limit is set for this type of investigation.
“The opening of a formal infringement procedure does not prejudge its outcome,” the Commission emphasizes.