"EU’s DSA enforcers send more questions to Snapchat, TikTok and YouTube about AI risks", 2 October 2024

... the European Union requested more information from Snapchat, TikTok and YouTube about their respective algorithms for content recommendation, activity that falls under the bloc’s online governance rulebook, the Digital Services Act (DSA).

In a press release the Commission said it’s sent requests for information (RFI) to the three social media platforms asking them for more details about the design and functioning of their algorithms. The trio have been given until November 15 to provided the sought for data.

The EU said their responses will inform any next steps — such as potentially opening formal investigations.

The bloc’s online governance framework contains tough penalties for violations (of up to 6% of global annual turnover). It’s applying an extra layer of systemic risk mitigation rules to the three platforms, owing to their designations as VLOPs (aka very large online platforms).

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The Commission said it’s asking Snapchat and YouTube to provide “detailed information” on the AI-based algorithmic parameters they use to recommend content to their users. It also wants more data how these play a role in “amplifying certain systemic risks” — including risks related to the electoral process and civic discourse; users’ mental well-being (e.g. addictive behaviour and content ‘rabbit holes’); and the protection of minors.

“The questions also concern the platforms’ measures to mitigate the potential influence of their recommender systems on the spread of illegal content, such as promoting illegal drugs and hate speech,” the EU added.

For TikTok, the Commission is seeking more detail on anti-manipulation measures deployed to try to prevent malicious actors from gaming the platform to spread harmful content. The EU is also asking TikTok for more on how it mitigates risks related to elections, pluralism of media, and civic discourse — systemic risks that it said may be amplified by recommender systems.

These latest RFIs are not the first the Commission has sent to the three platforms. ...

However ByteDance’s platform is the only one of the three social media products to be under formal DSA investigation so far.

TikTok spokesperson Paolo Ganino emailed a statement to TechCrunch confirming the action: “This morning, we received a request for information from the European Commission, which we will now review. We will cooperate with the Commission throughout the RFI process.” 

We’ve also reached out to Snap and TikTok for responses to the latest Commission’s latest RFIs.

Update: Google spokesman, Ciaran Ward, emailed a statement in which YouTube wrote: “For years, we’ve invested in products, policies and systems to help protect the YouTube community, whether that’s tackling disinformation or supporting digital wellbeing and mental health. Our recommendations system plays an important role in this, by making it easier for viewers to find high quality content on sensitive topics like news and health.

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Snap spokeswoman, Lauren Skowronski, also emailed a statement acknowledging the EU’s request. “We have received the request and will collaborate with the Commission to provide the necessary information,” the company said.