European Union: European Commission suggests algorithm disclosure for social media providers

The guidance of the European Commission on updating the 'Code of Practice on Disinformation', a voluntary pact, includes the disclosure of social media content algorithms. Under the guidance, social media providers should disclose the content presentation or ranking algorithms to users regarding the criteria used for prioritising or de-prioritising information. According to the guidance, users shall subsequently be allowed to customise such ranking algorithms. In addition, under the guidance, social media providers should disincentivise the spread of misinformation in several ways, including tools to flag misinformation by the users, labelling of political and issue-based ads, avoiding advertising of suspect content, the observance of fact-checking results and information exchange on suspect content between providers. Further, the Commission foresees the development of performance indicators tracking the spread of misinformation and the establishment of a permanent task force chaired by the Commission to oversee progress in the area.