EU Questions Meta on Disinformation Tracker Removal

The European Union has formally requested that Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, clarify its transparency measures after the controversial decision to discontinue CrowdTangle, a key tool for tracking online disinformation. This move has drawn criticism from both sides of the Atlantic, particularly as it coincides with a significant election year in the United States and other countries. CrowdTangle, which was taken offline on August 14, is set to be replaced by Meta's Content Library, a tool that researchers argue lacks the necessary capabilities for effective disinformation tracking. The European Commission's inquiry, issued under the Digital Services Act, comes amid ongoing concerns about Meta's ability to combat misinformation on its platforms. The Commission had previously launched an investigation into Meta in late April, highlighting the potential risks associated with the removal of CrowdTangle without a suitable alternative. In its latest request, the Commission has set a deadline of September 6 for Meta to provide detailed information on how it plans to ensure researchers have access to public data and enhance its election monitoring features. The Commission's statement specifically seeks clarity on the functionalities of the Content Library and its application programming interface (API), including eligibility criteria and data access. CrowdTangle has been a vital resource for researchers and journalists monitoring the spread of false information, and its removal is viewed as a significant setback, especially with numerous elections approaching globally. Organizations involved in Meta's third-party fact-checking program will have access to the Content Library, but for-profit media outlets will not. The Mozilla Foundation has previously warned that discontinuing CrowdTangle poses a "direct threat" to electoral integrity, urging Meta to maintain the tool until at least January 2025.