Google Withdraws from EU Disinformation Code Amid Changes in Tech Power Dynamics
Google has withdrawn from the EU's anti-disinformation Code, signalling a power shift in tech governance. The company rejects new DSA requirements and stops cooperating with fact-checkers.
Google has officially announced its withdrawal from the EU's "voluntary anti-disinformation" deal, marking a significant shift in the relationship between tech giants and government regulations.
The "strengthened" Code of Practice on Disinformation was initially established in June 2022, amid increasing government pressure on social media platforms. At that time, it included 44 signatories, one of which, X, exited shortly after its acquisition by Elon Musk.
As the code transitions into the EU's mandatory Digital Services Act (DSA), Google has signalled its refusal to comply with the DSA's requirements to include fact-checkers' views in search results or use them to manage YouTube content.
Kent Walker, Google's Global Affairs President, commented that complying with these DSA terms "isn't appropriate or effective for our services," in correspondence with the European Commission.
Additionally, the company is stepping back from "all fact-checking commitments in the Code," which previously required tech firms to collaborate with fact-checkers across EU member states. The Code also enforced regulations on content flagging, political ad labeling, and penalties for users accused of disseminating disinformation.
While Google's existing moderation procedures do not utilise third-party fact-checkers, its decision to defy EU mandates signals a continuing trend of social media platforms gaining independence from governmental oversight.
In a related move, Meta has announced an end to its fact-checking initiative in the United States to allow for greater free speech across its platforms. However, it continues to uphold its commitment to the Code within the EU.
The future actions of Meta regarding the incorporation of the Code into the DSA remain uncertain, particularly as deadlines for compliance are yet to be disclosed.
