The European Commission’s approval of a list of 19 “large internet platforms” subject to stricter user protection and rights rules is a significant move towards tightening tech industry regulation and protecting citizens. The decision affects the most significant global internet platforms, including Google, Facebook, and Apple, based on reaching at least 45 million active users per month.

The platforms on the list, such as Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, and Alibaba, will have to pay more attention to user privacy and strictly address illegal content and disinformation. Their obligation will be to inform users why they are recommending specific posts and give people the ability to report illegal posts. The changes also affect targeted advertising for children, personal data, ethnicity, sexual orientation, and political beliefs.

Platforms must have tools to effectively combat the publication of illegal posts and analyze whether disinformation is being spread. The companies on the list must demonstrate how they regularly fulfill their obligations; otherwise, they face fines of up to six percent of their global annual turnover.

The EU’s efforts to limit the power of tech giants and give users more control over their data and online experiences have been a cause of concern for the European Commission. Online hate speech, disinformation, and the impact of social media on children are significant issues that the EU is trying to address through these new rules.

The EU’s adoption of rules regulating the Internet operation last year aimed to strengthen oversight of the virtual world, improve user rights compliance, and limit the influence of the largest companies. The list of companies subject to the laws may still grow, and operators must ensure that their service meets all EK regulations within four months. Otherwise, these large companies will face fines and sanctions.

In conclusion, the European Commission’s approval of a list of large internet platforms subject to stricter user protection and rights rules is a significant step towards tightening tech industry regulation and protecting citizens. The companies on the list must demonstrate how they regularly fulfill their obligations, and if they do not comply with the rules, they face fines of up to six percent of their global annual turnover. These new rules seek to limit the power of tech giants and give users more control over their data and online experiences.

Article by Prague Forum