In response to concerns raised by the European Union (EU), Meta Platforms (NASDAQ:META) has implemented additional safety features in its misinformation tracking tool, CrowdTangle, ahead of the European Parliament elections. These updates aim to address EU apprehensions that led to an investigation last month regarding the discontinuation of the tool.
Meta announced last week that candidates participating in next month’s elections will receive notifications at the top of their Facebook and Instagram feeds, guiding them on how to safeguard themselves and their accounts. These notifications include instructions on setting up two-factor authentication, reviewing security settings, and utilizing features like Hidden Words on Instagram, which automatically filters offensive messages into a hidden folder.
Building upon this, Meta introduced live displays for each EU country on Monday, organized by relevant keywords, public groups, and Instagram accounts. These displays will facilitate real-time election monitoring by researchers, journalists, and civil society.
The European Commission has welcomed Meta’s efforts, stating that it will monitor the implementation of these functionalities and continue collaborating with Meta to address all concerns outlined in the initial investigation. While the formal proceedings against Meta remain ongoing, the EU executive is encouraged by these recent developments.
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