All articles tagged with #online platforms
The EU designates ChatGPT as a Very Large Online Search Engine and Reddit/Roblox as Very Large Online Platforms under the Digital Services Act, charging them with stricter oversight—ads to minors restrictions and greater transparency of recommendation algorithms—with a compliance deadline by the end of 2026.
Brussels fined AliExpress €550 million—the largest ever under the Digital Services Act—for failing to curb illegal and unsafe products, due in part to weak moderation and issues with its recommender/advertising systems; AliExpress has until Oct. 20 to present an action plan to address the infringements or face further penalties.
Senators James Lankford and Jacky Rosen unveiled a broad bipartisan antisemitism bill to combat discrimination on campuses and online, create a DOE antisemitism coordinator, boost nonprofit security grants to $1 billion plus a places-of-worship grant, and require platform moderation disclosures, with a House companion on the horizon; the live updates also cover DOJ questions over a Jan. 6 payouts fund, GOP moves on an immigration-enforcement bill, and ongoing Trump-related party dynamics in Massie’s Kentucky race.
An academic editorial argues that Euphoria’s scenes in which an adult character dresses as a baby and engages in sexual content normalise sexual harm by blurring boundaries between adulthood and childhood, potentially influencing viewers, especially young ones. The authors note OnlyFans’ policy against content involving minors, link the portrayal to broader harms exposed by cases like Jeffrey Epstein, and call for greater cultural and platform accountability to prevent glamorising or trivialising child exploitation.
The EU plans to strengthen regulations and enforcement to combat the influx of unsafe products from China sold on online platforms like Shein and Alibaba, aiming to better protect consumers and ensure fair competition, amid rising concerns over dangerous goods and inadequate current measures.
The article discusses the recent surge in public attention towards sex workers, highlighting both the positive shifts in societal acceptance and the ongoing challenges they face, such as stigma, legal barriers, and safety concerns, emphasizing the need for genuine recognition and protections for sex workers' rights and experiences.
The article discusses how economic struggles and a tough job market have led many in Generation Z to turn to sex work as a viable income source, especially during and after the pandemic, with oversaturation and declining rates now making it less lucrative and complicating career transitions.
The European Data Protection Board has recommended that Meta Platforms and other large online platforms offer users the option to use their services for free without targeted advertising. This opinion was issued in response to inquiries from national privacy regulators in the Netherlands, Norway, and Germany regarding consent or pay models adopted by these platforms. The EDPB emphasized the importance of providing a free alternative without behavioral advertising if a fee is charged for access to the equivalent alternative.
The Supreme Court is set to hear arguments on two cases that challenge laws in Florida and Texas seeking to limit the ability of large online platforms to curate or ban content, with potential implications for free speech and the future of online public discourse. The cases will test the constitutionality of laws that aim to fight what lawmakers claim are rules that suppress conservative speech, and a ruling for the states could force social media companies to carry "lawful but awful" speech, impacting not only big social media platforms but also traditional publishers, individual moderators, and nonprofit organizations. The decision will have far-reaching implications for state and federal legislation regulating social media platforms' content moderation and could influence the future of public discourse online.
The European Union's Digital Services Act (DSA) is expanding to cover all online platforms with users in the EU, in addition to the 19 Very Large Online Platforms (VLOPs) and Very Large Online Search Engines (VLOSEs) already subject to its rules. The DSA imposes new obligations around content moderation, online advertising, and user privacy, including bans on targeting underage users with ads based on personal data and rules for content moderation transparency. While the DSA aims to create a safer and more transparent online environment, concerns remain about the readiness of EU member states to enforce its rules more broadly.
The European Union is expanding its Digital Services Act to cover almost all online platforms in the bloc, imposing strict requirements to keep internet users safe, including easier reporting of counterfeit goods and harmful content, a ban on ads targeted at children, and transparency in digital ads and content moderation decisions. The rules will now apply to nearly all online platforms, marketplaces, and intermediaries with users in the 27-nation bloc, with only the smallest businesses exempt. The EU has also started investigating Elon Musk’s social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter, over suspicions of infringing the DSA’s provisions.
The CEOs of major tech companies are testifying in a hearing about allegations of failing to protect children from abuse on their platforms, as senators aim to push for bipartisan bills that would increase tech companies' liability and require stronger safety features for kids. This comes amid government efforts to address online harms to children, with three executives appearing on Capitol Hill for the first time after subpoenas were issued for their testimony due to alleged lack of cooperation with oversight requests.
The Senate Judiciary is summoning the CEOs of Meta, TikTok, X, Snap, and Discord to discuss child safety on their platforms, with a focus on policing child sexual abuse material. Despite years of congressional attention, little legislative progress has been made due to disagreements and tech industry opposition. While some companies have announced internal changes, the prospects for passing new bills remain uncertain, with industry lobbying and disagreements over specific provisions hindering progress. As Congress struggles, states and other countries have taken the lead in regulating social media for children's safety.
Three of the world's largest porn websites, including Pornhub, XVideos, and Stripchat, are now subject to stricter controls under the European Union's Digital Services Act (DSA), which requires age verification for users. These platforms, classified as "very large online platforms," face fines of up to 6% of global revenue or potential bans for non-compliance. The DSA aims to protect users from illegal content and products. France, Germany, Britain, and some U.S. states have also drafted laws mandating age verification on porn sites, raising concerns about privacy and discrimination. The DSA also addresses the spread of illegal content and requires risk assessments, transparency reports, and access to data for researchers.
Three pornographic websites, including Pornhub, have been added to the European Union's list of "very large online platforms" that will face stricter safety regulations under the new EU Digital Services Act. These platforms, which have over 45 million active users in the EU, will be required to implement measures to protect children and address the dissemination of illegal content. The EU will monitor their compliance and can impose fines or even ban them from operating in Europe for serious violations. The designation will allow for higher scrutiny and accountability of their algorithms and processes.