Three weeks after the European elections, the time has come to take stock. Justice Commissioner Vera Jourova welcomed the fact that “our general analysis shows that there was no big bang: there was no new Cambridge Analytica”, when she presented her assessment of the situation on Friday 14 June.
This assessment takes the form of an implementation report on the action plan against disinformation (see EUROPE 12153/8) and a final monthly assessment of the Code of Practice (see EUROPE 12104/1). It is also based on the latest figures compiled by the External Action Service’s East Stratcom Task Force, a package of initiatives put together to protect the European Union after the untoward experiences suffered by the United States, the United Kingdom and France in their national elections.
Distrust of Russia
The implementation report indicates that, to date, the available evidence has not identified a specific campaign of cross-border disinformation from external sources specifically targeting the European elections. "However, the evidence gathered revealed continued and sustained disinformation activity by Russian sources aimed at reducing voter turnout and influencing voter preferences", he continued, arguing that disinformation campaigns of Russian origin have doubled in the last 5 months, from 434 in the same period in 2018 to 998 so far in 2019.
Disinformation Code
In the press room, Commissioners Vera Jourova (Justice) and Julian King (Security) both welcomed the countermeasures taken by the EU, including a cooperation network (which has so far held four meetings), an early warning mechanism (which has never actually been triggered), and the Code of Practice that encourages online platforms to act voluntarily or risk being subject to regulation by the end of the year (which was signed by Microsoft on 22 May).
According to figures provided by the platforms, thousands of accounts have been closed in recent months to protect the integrity of services, as required by the Code. Facebook has reported closing 2.2 billion fake accounts in the first quarter of 2019, Twitter 77 million spam or fake accounts and YouTube (Google) 3.39 million channels. However, the Commission notes in its assessment that “the platforms need to better explain how the removal of software robots and fake accounts has limited the spread of disinformation in the European Union”.
The Commission also notes progress with actions taken to better control the placement of advertisements so as to restrict malicious practice (click traps) and reduce advertising revenues for those who disseminate disinformation. With regard to political advertising in particular, the Commission welcomes the introduction of bookshops on most platforms, but finds the lack of progress on advocacy advertising on Google and Twitter a matter for regret. And, with respect to advocacy advertising, it distinguishes between good practice (Facebook) and poor practice (Google and Twitter).
Another source of disappointment is the platforms' level of collaboration with experts and researchers to provide them with access to data. “This is especially true for Facebook”, said Julian King.
Next steps
These preliminary observations, which will be confirmed in a more detailed report in October, will be submitted to the Heads of State or Government at their meeting in Brussels on 20 and 21 June.
In September, before the end of its current term, the Commission will also assess how the Code of Practice is being applied, before submitting its opinion to the next College of Commissioners on whether or not there is a need to legislate. Commissioner Jourova suggested that "if" the EU were to get to that point, the issue of algorithms would be at the forefront of discussions. To read the report on the action plan, go to: https://bit.ly/2WK7Js9 and to read the report on the Code, go to: https://bit.ly/2IhcWz1 (Original version in French by Sophie Petitjean)