EU calls on tech giants to combat Russian disinformation ahead of elections

European Commission Vice President Vera Jourova has urged major tech companies, including Google, Microsoft, Meta Platforms (formerly Facebook), and TikTok, to step up their efforts in countering what she labels as Russia’s ‘multi-million euro weapon of mass manipulation.‘

Jourova expressed concerns about the spread of disinformation as elections approach in Europe and singled out Elon Musk’s X social platform for having the highest ratio of fake news posts among large platforms. This call comes as tech companies submit data on their actions against fake news as part of the EU’s code of practice on disinformation. Jourova emphasizes the need for vigilance against disinformation campaigns in the lead-up to elections.

Why does it matter?

This is not the first warning about Russia’s misinformation influence in European countries. Recently, Swedish authorities flagged Russian-backed disinformation campaigns for the second time this year. Media experts also found that Western companies inadvertently support pro-Russian disinformation in the Balkans through advertising. Recognizing the susceptibility of election periods to disinformation, the European Commission and the Slovakian government urged tech companies to boost efforts against hate speech, disinformation, and pro-Russia propaganda ahead of the September 30 vote. This election will certainly serve as an essential test to assess the effectiveness of the EU’s newly implemented Digital Services Act (DSA), establishing a precedent for future elections.