The European Commission has warned Meta of potential fines and an investigation if the company ceases fact-checking in Europe, violating the EU’s Digital Services Act (DSA).
This was stated by European Commission spokesperson Thomas Renier during a briefing in Brussels. Meta’s founder, Mark Zuckerberg, previously announced plans to discontinue the use of fact-checkers, citing excessive censorship on the company’s social media platforms.
“If reports of fact-checking termination emerge, we will analyze the company’s compliance with the DSA. If its measures do not align with the law, a violation procedure will be initiated, which could result in fines,” Renier explained.
He also expressed concerns in the EU about a potential increase in disinformation following Meta’s decision. Zuckerberg stated that the company had previously sought to meet the demands of authorities and traditional media, which had increased pressure on content moderation. However, he described the recent U.S. elections as a “turning point” in prioritizing freedom of speech.
Zuckerberg further emphasized that fact-checkers acted with political bias, undermining user trust. He argued that fact-checking tools are increasingly being used to suppress diverse viewpoints.
