The French foreign ministry has expressed concern over Meta’s decision to stop its fact-checking operations for Facebook and Instagram in the United States. The ministry stated it would remain vigilant in ensuring that Meta complies with European laws, particularly the Digital Services Act (DSA), which aims to regulate digital platforms and protect users from harmful content.

A ministry spokesperson emphasized that while freedom of expression is a fundamental right in both France and Europe, it cannot be equated with the right to spread viral content that reaches millions of users without any filtering or moderation. The spokesperson further stated that France would ensure that Meta and other platforms abide by their legal obligations under European regulations.

The DSA, a comprehensive law that came into effect in March 2024, aims to protect European citizens from misinformation and foreign interference in the digital space. According to the spokesperson, the law is crucial to the EU’s democratic functioning, ensuring that online platforms are held accountable for their content and actions. France has made it clear that it intends to uphold these standards, regardless of actions taken by Meta or other platforms outside the region.

Meta’s recent move to end its fact-checking operations in the United States is in line with the preferences of the incoming president, Donald Trump, whose administration has expressed opposition to certain forms of content moderation. The company’s decision to scale back its content moderation practices, including the fact-checking program, is viewed by some as aligning with these political priorities.

In response to the ongoing situation, French digital technology minister Clara Chappaz has initiated a study to examine the potential impact of halting fact-checking on Meta’s platforms. The study’s goal is to understand how this decision might affect users and ensure that the platforms maintain high standards of moderation. Meta has long been engaged with fact-checking organizations around the world, with AFP being one of the 80 organizations contributing to the program across multiple languages, including for content on WhatsApp and Instagram.

As this situation continues to unfold, French officials are closely monitoring Meta’s operations and have stressed that the company must adhere to European rules to maintain the integrity of its platforms and protect users from misinformation. The outcome of the study and any future actions by Meta will likely have significant implications for the company’s operations in the European Union.

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