European Commission
Code of Practice on disinformation: Commission welcomes new prospective signatories and calls for strong and timely revision
The topic of disinformation remains high on the Commission's agenda. Eight new prospective signatories joined the revision process of the Code of Practice on disinformation during the latest signatories Assembly meeting yesterday. They expressed their willingness to take commitments under the strengthened version. The Code is the first such framework worldwide setting out commitments by platforms and industry to fight disinformation. The revision of the Code is based on the Commission's Guidance issued in May, which sets out how the current Code should be strengthened to provide a firm response to disinformation.
The list of prospective new signatories includes online video platforms like Vimeo, new types of social networks like Clubhouse, and advertising technology providers like DoubleVerify, as well as organisations that provide specific expertise and technical solutions to fight disinformation, such as Avaaz, Globsec, Logically, NewsGuard, and WhoTargetsMe.
Values and Transparency Vice President Věra Jourová said: “I am pleased to see new actors from relevant sectors answering our call and engaging in the overhaul of the Code of Practice. I encourage others, including platforms, messaging services and actors in the online advertising ecosystem, to join as soon as possible to co-shape the process. The strengthened Code cannot fall short of the expectations we have set out in our Guidance from May. Online players have a special responsibility regarding spreading and monetising disinformation. They must become more transparent, accountable and safe by design.”
Internal Market Commissioner Thierry Breton added: “I welcome the fact that more and more online platforms, technology providers, civil society and expert organisations are formally committing to fighting disinformation. The private sector should be ambitious and anticipate the new EU rules on digital services (DSA). Now is the time to show they walk the talk.”
Substantial additional efforts are needed to reduce the flow of harmful disinformation, as illustrated by recent electoral campaigns and by the signatories' reports on the COVID-19 disinformation monitoring programme. The Commission also published the latest of these reports, covering the actions taken over the summer against vaccines disinformation by platforms. The current Code was a good first step in this direction, but the Commission's Assessment in 2020 revealed significant shortcomings. You will find more information in this press release.
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