The 2022 Strengthened Code of Practice on Disinformation

Priority question for written answer P-001369/2024
to the Commission
Rule 144
Milan Uhrík (ESN)

The strengthened Code of Practice on Disinformation is a Commission instrument. Although the Commission is not a signatory to this document, its influence is directly or indirectly leading to the removal of unwanted or dangerous content from social media. According to media reports, the Commission participates in the working meetings of NGOs that are signatories to the Code. In this manner, it is able to force large platforms, such as Facebook, to take action in response to requests from NGOs for the removal of social media content that they deem to be harmful, unwanted, dangerous, or a hybrid threat.

In the light of the above:

• 1.Does the Commission participate in the video conference meetings of the permanent Working Group of the Strengthened Code of Practice on Disinformation, or any video conferencing calls related to a unified approach against disinformation?
• 2.Is there a document or a mechanism that empowers non-profit organisations, such as Globsec, to make requests for the removal of social media content as part of the fight against disinformation, which directly or indirectly requires social media companies to take action on such requests?
• 3.In the fight against disinformation, how many cases have there been involving the removal of user accounts and user content from social media at the request of non-profit organisations, and how many such cases have been from Slovakia?

Submitted: 17.7.2024