"EU questions Meta, TikTok over halting disinformation on Israel-Hamas war", 19 October 2023

The European Commission said it had sent formal requests for information to Meta and TikTok respectively in what is a first procedure launched under the EU's new law on digital content.

The commission said the request to Meta related "to the dissemination and amplification of illegal content and disinformation" around the Hamas-Israel conflict.

In a separate statement, it said it wanted to know more about TikTok's efforts against "the spreading of terrorist and violent content and hate speech".

The EU's executive arm added that it wanted more information from Meta on its "mitigation measures to protect the integrity of elections".

Meta and TikTok have until October 25 to respond, with a deadline of November 8 for less urgent aspects of the demand for information.

The commission said it also sought more details about how TikTok was complying with rules on protecting minors online.

Meta insisted it was addressing the issues raised.

Meta would be happy to provide further information to the commission, he added.

TikTok said it was reviewing Brussels' request and would publish a report next week with "more information about our ongoing work to keep our European community safe".