Clubhouse, Vimeo, and DoubleVerify are only some of the names assembled to sign up for the European Union's updated Code of Practice on Online Disinformation.
The EU's always been rather strict about rules and regulations upon large companies within its borders. Most of these are aimed towards the general benefit of the public and environment. A recent example can be found in the form of rules being formed to ensure that all tech companies, including Apple, switch to type C charger cables to counteract plastic pollution.
The EU's privacy regulations, and their imposition upon platforms such as Facebook, is yet another way that it takes care of the general populace. Some of these rules, however, can prove to be anything but helpful to the public. An infamous example that everyone can draw upon is Article 13, which drew severe public backlash and criticism. No one wants copyright laws to be enforced any more than they already are, but it seems that the EU wasn't willing to listen.
At any rate, this new disinformation legislation is one that seems well thought out and has been received relatively warmly. Quite a few notable tech companies have already taken the step towards signing up, and adhering to the new rules. Famous names that join this pantheon include the likes of Facebook, Twitter, Google, and Mozilla, all of which had signed up for the legislation back in 2018. TikTok's been a much more recent addition to the program, having jumped on the bandwagon in the summer of 2021.
The point of the revamped Code of Practice, spokespeople from the EU state, is to ensure that misinformation and anti-logical rhetoric finds no solid footing within the Union's boundaries. Issues such as misinformation have only become more apparent since the COVID-19 pandemic, and liars only more emboldened. The updated version of the codes allows for more severe action to be taken against companies and platforms that don't comply with it. Other than that, the code is also meant to refer to certain gaps left in implementation and execution across the EU.
The Union can make companies sign up for deals such as these simply on the basis that it acts as a big marketplace for all of them. Using that position to leverage support for changes that are meant to improve one's quality of life is the responsible thing to do. If only other countries could follow the example, and not just exercise online monitoring to punish their userbases.
Image: Getty
Read next: 3 Out of Every 4 Paid Instagram Posts Don’t Declare Sponsorship
The EU's always been rather strict about rules and regulations upon large companies within its borders. Most of these are aimed towards the general benefit of the public and environment. A recent example can be found in the form of rules being formed to ensure that all tech companies, including Apple, switch to type C charger cables to counteract plastic pollution.
The EU's privacy regulations, and their imposition upon platforms such as Facebook, is yet another way that it takes care of the general populace. Some of these rules, however, can prove to be anything but helpful to the public. An infamous example that everyone can draw upon is Article 13, which drew severe public backlash and criticism. No one wants copyright laws to be enforced any more than they already are, but it seems that the EU wasn't willing to listen.
At any rate, this new disinformation legislation is one that seems well thought out and has been received relatively warmly. Quite a few notable tech companies have already taken the step towards signing up, and adhering to the new rules. Famous names that join this pantheon include the likes of Facebook, Twitter, Google, and Mozilla, all of which had signed up for the legislation back in 2018. TikTok's been a much more recent addition to the program, having jumped on the bandwagon in the summer of 2021.
The point of the revamped Code of Practice, spokespeople from the EU state, is to ensure that misinformation and anti-logical rhetoric finds no solid footing within the Union's boundaries. Issues such as misinformation have only become more apparent since the COVID-19 pandemic, and liars only more emboldened. The updated version of the codes allows for more severe action to be taken against companies and platforms that don't comply with it. Other than that, the code is also meant to refer to certain gaps left in implementation and execution across the EU.
The Union can make companies sign up for deals such as these simply on the basis that it acts as a big marketplace for all of them. Using that position to leverage support for changes that are meant to improve one's quality of life is the responsible thing to do. If only other countries could follow the example, and not just exercise online monitoring to punish their userbases.
Read next: 3 Out of Every 4 Paid Instagram Posts Don’t Declare Sponsorship
