Social Media Companies Should Take Deepfakes And Fake Accounts More Seriously Or Face Huge Fines From EU Commission

EU Industry Chief Thierry Breton is leading the EU crackdown on disinformation. (photo: twitter @ThierryBreton)

JAKARTA - Units of Alphabet Inc., Google, Facebook Inc, Twitter Inc and other technology companies must take action to fight deepfakes and fake accounts on their platforms or risk heavy fines under new updated EU legislation.

Reported by Reuters, the European Commission is expected to publish its latest code of practice on disinformation on Thursday, June 16 as part of its crackdown on fake news.

Introduced in 2018, the originally voluntary code will now become a co-regulatory scheme, with responsibilities divided between regulators and code signatories.

The updated code details examples of manipulative behavior such as deepfakes and fake accounts that signers must deal with.

"Relevant signatories will adopt, strengthen and implement clear policies regarding manipulative behaviors and practices that are not permitted on their services, based on the latest evidence on the behavior and tactics, techniques and procedures (TTP) used by bad actors," the document said.

Deepfakes are hyperrealistic fakes created by computer techniques that have sparked alarm worldwide especially when used in a political context.

The code will also be linked to tough new EU rules known as the Digital Services Act (DSA) approved by the 27 EU countries earlier this year that has a section on fighting disinformation.

As a result, companies that fail to meet their obligations under the code can face a fine of as much as 6% of their global turnover under DSA rules. They have six months to implement their action once the social media company signs the code.

Signatories should also take steps to address disinformational ads and provide greater transparency on political ads.

"DSA provides the legal backbone for the Code of Practice against disinformation - including severe dissuasive sanctions," EU industry chief Thierry Breton, who is leading the EU crackdown on disinformation, told Reuters in a statement.