On Friday 1 March, the Commission announced in a press release that it had officially sent Meta (parent company of Facebook and Instagram) a ‘formal request for information’ (‘RFI’) concerning the offer of ad-free subscription options for Facebook and Instagram, in accordance with the provisions of the Digital Services Act (DSA) (see EUROPE 13262/9).
More specifically, the Internet giant is being asked to provide additional information on the measures it has taken to comply with its obligations regarding the advertising practices of its websites, recommendation systems and risk assessments linked to this subscription option.
Back in October 2023 (see EUROPE 13275/4), the Commission asked Meta to provide information on the measures it had put in place to stop the distribution of illegal content online. This previous request for information covered issues such as terrorist content, risk management in relation to civic discourse and electoral processes, and the protection of minors.
This new request for information is based on Meta’s previous responses, but asks for additional information on Meta’s methodology for risk assessment, the protection of minors, content during election periods and media manipulation.
The Commission is also asking Meta to provide information about ‘shadow banning’ and the launch of Threads, the new social network recently authorised in Europe.
Meta has until 15 March to provide the information requested. On the basis of the evaluation of these responses, the Commission will decide whether or not to formally open a procedure under the DSA.
“Under Article 74(2) of the DSA, the Commission may impose fines for incorrect, incomplete or misleading information provided in response to a request for information”, the Commission points out.
The Chinese social network TikTok is already the subject of an investigation in this context (see EUROPE 13253/16). (Original version in French by Isalia Stieffatre)