BRUSSELS (Reuters) -According to an updated European Union code of practise seen by Reuters, Google (NASDAQ:GOOGL), Facebook Inc (NASDAQ:META), Twitter Inc (NYSE:TWTR), and other tech companies will have to take steps to stop deepfakes and fake accounts on their platforms or face large fines, according to an updated European Union code of practise.
As part of its plan to stop fake news, the European Commission is likely to release the updated code of practise on disinformation on Thursday.
The voluntary code, which was put in place in 2018, will now become a co-regulation scheme. This means that regulators and the people who signed the code will share responsibility.
The updated code gives examples of things like deepfakes and fake accounts that people who sign it will have to do something about.
The document said, “Relevant signatories will adopt, strengthen, and implement clear policies about manipulative behaviours and practises that are not allowed on their services.” These policies will be based on the latest information about how bad actors act and their tactics, techniques, and procedures (TTPs).
Deepfakes are fakes that look so real that people all over the world are worried about them. This is especially true when they are used in politics.
The code will also be linked to strict new EU rules called the Digital Services Act (DSA), which were agreed to earlier this year by the 27 countries that make up the European Union. The DSA has a section on fighting fake news.
DSA rules say that companies that don’t live up to their obligations under the code can be fined up to 6% of their global turnover. After signing the code, they have six months to put their plans into action.
Signatories will also have to take steps to stop advertising that spreads false information and make political advertising more clear.
“The DSA gives the Code of Practice against disinformation a legal backbone,” EU industry chief Thierry Breton said in a statement to Reuters. Breton is in charge of the EU’s crackdown on disinformation.
Vera Jourova, Vice President of the Commission, said that Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, which Russia calls a “special operation,” was the reason for some of the code changes.
She said in a statement, “Once the code is up and running, we will be better able to deal with disinformation, which can also come from Russia.”