In a significant move, Google has announced its decision to opt out of a new European Union law that mandates fact-checking. This decision follows Mark Zuckerberg’s recent declaration that Meta will cease its fact-checking efforts.
While tech firms may feel encouraged to adjust their policies to align with changing political landscapes, Google’s approach is notably consistent. The company has historically not integrated fact-checking into its search functionalities or YouTube content. Thus, Google’s current stance is not a rollback but rather a refusal to extend its commitment to fact-checking.
A letter from Google’s global affairs president Kent Walker addressed to the European Commission has clarified the company’s position regarding the EU’s Code of Practice on Disinformation.
This code would require Google to enhance its search engine algorithms and YouTube ranking systems with fact-checking capabilities.
While participation in these regulations was voluntary and not legally binding, many social media platforms, including Google, previously signed on to this code. Recent analyses have indicated that several platforms are retracting their promises concerning disinformation measures.
The code was established prior to the implementation of the Digital Services Act (DSA) in 2022, which is legally binding. The intersection of the disinformation code and the DSA raises questions about potential future enforcement and responses from major tech companies.
Google has indicated in its correspondence with the EU that it intends to withdraw from all fact-checking obligations in the Code before it transitions into a DSA Code of Conduct.
