Germany is holding highly anticipated state elections in September. The EU Commission is now reminding people of new rules for social networks such as Facebook, Instagram and X.
A few weeks before the state elections in Saxony, Thuringia and Brandenburg, the EU Commission has warned social networks to comply with European rules against disinformation and foreign information manipulation and interference. The Commission will also monitor whether the online platforms comply with the requirements of the new Digital Services Act in the upcoming national, regional and local elections, according to a report published in Brussels on control measures in the run-up to the European elections in June.
According to the Digital Services Act, major internet platforms such as Facebook, Instagram and X in the EU are required to mitigate risks related to electoral processes while respecting fundamental rights, including the right to freedom of expression. For example, one guideline requires online platforms and search engines to give priority to official information on the electoral processes. Another stipulates that content generated using artificial intelligence (AI) must be clearly labelled.
Before the European elections, the EU Commission had opened proceedings against the Facebook and Instagram group Meta and against X on suspicion of violations of EU law. Among other things, they are examining whether the companies have not complied with European rules in dealing with political advertising or in the fight against information manipulation.
The EU Commission is drawing a positive conclusion from the control measures before the European elections in June. The current assessment is that there were no major or systemic incidents that disrupted the European elections, the report says. The number of incidents was in line with expectations and the preparations and coordinated responses paid off.
In Germany, the state parliaments in Saxony and Thuringia will be elected on September 1st, and the state parliament in Brandenburg will be elected on September 22nd. According to surveys, the right-wing populist AfD could become the strongest party in all three states. It could be difficult to form a government.
Source: Stern
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