EU Code of Practice on Disinformation: Difference between revisions

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{{Short description|2018 industry self-regulation agreement}}

In 2018, the [[European Commission]] convened representatives of major technology firms and the online advertising industry to develop a voluntary framework of industry self-regulation to fight disinformation.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |date=February 24, 2022 |title=Code of Practice on Disinformation |url=https://digital-strategy.ec.europa.eu/en/policies/code-practice-disinformation |access-date=May 3, 2022 |website=European Commission}}</ref> In the aftermath of the [[Facebook–Cambridge Analytica data scandal|Facebook-Cambridge Analytica]] scandal and [[Russian interference in the 2016 United States elections|Russian interference in the 2016 U.S. presidential election]], the Commission expressed concern that "mass online disinformation campaigns" were being "widely used by a range of domestic and foreign actors to sow distrust and create societal tensions."<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |date=April 26, 2018 |title=Communication From the Commission to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions: Tackling Online Disinformation: A European Approach |url=https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX:52018DC0236 |access-date=May 3, 2022 |website=EUR-Lex}}</ref> Moreover, the online platforms where these campaigns take place, according to the Commission, had "failed to act proportionately, falling short of the challenge posed by disinformation and the manipulative use of platforms' infrastructures."<ref name=":0" />

{{Primary sources|date=May 2022}}

In 2018, the [[European Commission]] convened representatives of major technology firms and the online advertising industry to develop a voluntary framework of [[industry self-regulation]] to fight disinformation.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |date=February 24, 2022 |title=Code of Practice on Disinformation |url=https://digital-strategy.ec.europa.eu/en/policies/code-practice-disinformation |access-date=May 3, 2022 |website=European Commission}}</ref> In the aftermath of the [[Facebook–Cambridge Analytica data scandal|Facebook-Cambridge Analytica]] scandal and [[Russian interference in the 2016 United States elections|Russian interference in the 2016 U.S. presidential election]], the Commission expressed concern that "mass online disinformation campaigns" were being "widely used by a range of domestic and foreign actors to sow distrust and create societal tensions."<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |date=April 26, 2018 |title=Communication From the Commission to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions: Tackling Online Disinformation: A European Approach |url=https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX:52018DC0236 |access-date=May 3, 2022 |website=EUR-Lex}}</ref> Moreover, the online platforms where these campaigns take place, according to the Commissioncommission, had "failed to act proportionately, falling short of the challenge posed by disinformation and the manipulative use of platforms' infrastructures."<ref name=":0" />

The Code sets out a definition of disinformation as well as five broad commitments for industry signatories. Signatories commit to prepare annual self-assessment reports for review by the European Commission.

== Definition of Disinformation ==

The Code defines disinformation as "verifiably false or misleading information which, cumulatively,

* (a) Is created, presented and disseminated for economic gain or to intentionally deceive the public; and

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The Code sets out five broad commitments for industry signatories and allows for flexible uptake. Signatories may select which commitments they will adhere to depending on the nature of their services and their technical capabilities.<ref name=":1" />

=== 1. Scrutiny of Ad Placements ===

Signatories acknowledge the need to "significantly improve the scrutiny of advertisement placements, notably in order to reduce revenues of the purveyors of disinformation."<ref name=":1" />

=== 2. Political Advertising and Issue-Based Advertising ===

Broadly, signatories "acknowledge the [European Commission's] call to recognise the importance of ensuring transparency about political and issue-based advertising."<ref name=":1" />

=== 3. Integrity of Services ===

Signatories recognize "the importance of intensifying and demonstrating the effectiveness of efforts to close fake accounts as well as the importance of establishing clear marking systems and rules for bots to ensure their activities cannot be confused with human interactions."<ref name=":1" />

=== 4. Empowering Consumers ===

Signatories commit to "invest in technological means to prioritize relevant, authentic, and authoritative information where appropriate in search, feeds, or other automatically ranked distribution channels."<ref name=":1" />

=== 5. Empowering the Research Community ===

Broadly, signatories "commit to support good faith independent efforts to track disinformation and understand its impact."<ref name=":1" />

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== Assessment of the Code ==

{{Empty section|date=May 2022}}

== Criticisms of the Code ==

{{Empty section|date=May 2022}}

== See also ==

* Transparency and targeting of political advertising

== References ==

<references />

[[Category:Disinformation]]

[[Category:European Commission projects]]