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BRUSSELS: The European Commission said on Friday that US Big Tech giant Meta and Chinese-owned social media app TikTok breach their obligation to grant researchers adequate access to public data under the Digital Services Act (DSA) according to its preliminary findings.
In a statement, the Commission also said that Meta’s Facebook and Instagram do not appear to provide a user-friendly and easily accessible mechanism for users to flag illegal content, such as child sexual abuse material and terrorist content.
The EU has cracked down on Big Tech companies with the Digital Services Act, which requires large platforms such as social media sites and search engines to have robust measures to mitigate the spread of illegal and harmful content.
“The Commission’s preliminary findings show that Facebook, Instagram and TikTok may have put in place burdensome procedures and tools for researchers to request access to public data,” the EU executive said about the transparency issue.
“Allowing researchers access to platforms’ data is an essential transparency obligation under the DSA, as it provides public scrutiny into the potential impact of platforms on our physical and mental health.”
On Meta hindering the reporting of illegal content, the Commission said the company currently has mechanisms that impose several unnecessary steps and additional demands on users and use “deceptive interface designs.”
“Such practices can be confusing and dissuading. Meta’s mechanisms to flag and remove illegal content may therefore be ineffective. Under the DSA, ‘Notice and Action’ mechanisms are key to allowing EU users ... to inform online platforms that certain content does not comply with EU or national laws,” it said.
The Commission added the companies now have the possibility to examine its findings and take measures to remedy the breaches, adding that the preliminary findings do not prejudge the outcome of the investigation.
But if the findings of the Commission are confirmed by relevant consultations, it may impose a fine on the companies of as much as 6 percent of their annual global sales.

ROSARIO: Argentina’s President Javier Milei concluded his mid-term election campaign on Thursday with a promise for change as a persistent financial crisis weighs on the country.
“We are on the right path, which is why I ask you to continue supporting us this Sunday,” Milei told a rally in Rosario, in the country’s north, promising that “Argentina will change.”
The legislative elections will determine whether the budget-slashing incumbent, whose party is in the minority, will wield more power in parliament in the second half of his term.
“Let’s not stop halfway... this election is so important,” he said.
Thousands cheered Milei, who performed a capella for the crowd as they waved Argentine and violet flags of his La Libertad Avanza party.
Alejandra Paso, a Milei fan was dressed head-to-toe in violet and enthusiastically applauded and chanted her support.
“If he hasn’t done more, it’s because he doesn’t have the money,” the 67-year-old retiree told AFP.
Her demographic was hardest hit by Milei’s austerity policy and budget cuts, but she has faith “in this man who speaks the language of the streets and can make the changes that no one ever dared to make before.”
The rally took place in Rosario, the country’s third most populous city on the banks of the Parana River and the main grain exporting port of Argentina — one of the world’s biggest food producers.
Like many of Milei’s rallies, the thunderous rock and roll music and stage setup felt more like a concert than a traditional political event.

- Protest march -

Argentina is in the throes of an economic meltdown, and earlier this week the Trump administration signed off on a $20 billion lifeline in support of ally Milei.
Milei’s party is targeting the Rosario area in a bid to secure votes to offset an almost certain defeat in other major provinces like Buenos Aires.
Merchant Mariano Reyes, 48, said he struggles to believe Milei’s party can repeat its 2023 victory in Rosario.
“But it’s not a presidential election,” he told AFP, expressing hope for a “celebration so he can govern without obstacles in Congress.”
Before arriving in Rosario, Milei was forced to cancel at least four rallies elsewhere after crowds shouted insults and threw stones in response to an alleged bribery scandal involving his sister.
The ruling party’s campaign faced even more scandal when its main candidate resigned following allegations of ties to drug trafficking.
Protest signs called Milei a “persona non grata in Rosario” and called for “decent salaries” and an end to pension cuts.
A few blocks from Milei’s rally, several hundred people joined a protest march.
“In Rosario, the city that exports cereals to the world, there is hunger,” activist Eduardo Delmonte told AFP.
“We see the ships leaving the port loaded up with goods and wonder how we will eat tomorrow.”
Leonardo Gresso, a street vendor of tortillas, said he voted for Milei in 2023 but on Sunday will not choose any party.
“I had hope, today I don’t even have that.”