The European Commission (EC) has initiated the process of drafting new guidelines under the Digital Service Act (DSA) to regulate false information and protect the integrity of future elections. The guidelines are being developed under Article 35 of the DSA, making this the first time guidelines have been established via this article.
The EC has offered the public the opportunity to be involved with this development, launching an open consultation for those wishing to submit their feedback and thoughts before March 7. The new guidelines are targeting potential election risks that may stem from the rise in misinformation, with measures intended to be implemented by all platforms classified as “Very Large” and “Search Engines”. The goal is to ensure that these platforms adopt the “best practices and possible measures to mitigate systematic risks on their platforms that may threaten the integrity of democratic electoral processes.”
Executive Vice President for a Europe Fit for the Digital Age, Margrethe Vestager, voiced concerns regarding the potential risks to the electoral process posed by deep fakes. Deep fakes involve the imitation or manipulation of an individual’s likeness or speech. In addition to addressing the issue of misinformation, the guidelines are expected to cover regulation on the transparency of political advertising and recommendations from the commission aimed at promoting free, fair, and resilient elections.
Introducing these guidelines is congruent with the original intent of the EU Digital Services Act. The DSA, legislated in 2021, applies to all designated “Very Large Online Platforms” and “Very Large Online Search Engines” four months following notification of designation. Its primary aim is to bolster online user protections via regulation of digital platforms.
The above news was reported by JURIST.