EU warns Meta over ‘fact checking’ plans

The EU Commission has threatened to fine Facebook's parent company Meta if it cancels its fact-checking program in European Union (EU) countries.

The company's CEO Mark Zuckerberg made the announcement in a video post on Tuesday. In it, he wrote, "It's time to get back to our roots around free expression. We will now use Community Notes instead of fact-checkers. We are simplifying our policies further. We are focusing on reducing errors."

Zuckerberg basically said that Facebook would reduce the use of third-party or fact-checkers and use Community Notes; that is, from now on, Meta will give more importance to user opinions in this regard. Zuckerberg's announcement is being criticized in various European countries.

The EU Commission has warned Meta against taking steps such as closing its fact-checking program in European Union countries.

The Commission's technology spokesman, Thomas Regnier, told German radio station MDR that if Meta fails to comply with the EU's digital services law, they could fine the tech company. No matter where these big companies are located, they have to comply with the rules when providing their services in the EU.

German Technology Minister Volker Wiesing said he had confidence in the EU Commission in this regard. The commission would monitor Meta's activities closely. It would examine them closely. If necessary, it would take appropriate measures.

Robert Habeck, head of Germany's environmental Green Party and the country's Minister for Planning and Climate Protection, said at an election rally in Hamburg that freedom does not mean anarchy, but that both must go together. This applies to democracy. It should also exist in the virtual realm. So he cannot welcome what Zuckerberg is doing.

Matthias Meiers, general secretary of Germany's Social Democratic Party, called Meta's plans "alarming." He said, “It is very dangerous to push away fact-checkers at a time when fake news and confusion are on the rise. Because fake news is not a way of free expression; it is an attack on our democracy.”

Matthias Mears commented that Zuckerberg is now going to make a decision like Elon Musk or Donald Trump. He said, “We will have to examine how much this kind of fact-checking program conflicts with our laws if it is canceled.”

Matthias Mears hopes that the EU Commission will closely monitor the applicable rules for fact-checking programs. Platforms like Meta or X cannot avoid responsibility. They need digital platforms that protect the dignity of society, information and democracy.