August 30, 2023
Europe Implements Digital Services Act as U.S. Regulatory Efforts Gain Steam
Tech firms are facing potential fines and investigations as governments ramp up regulation. The Digital Services Act, now in effect across Europe, requires companies to provide algorithmic and content moderation transparency. In the U.S., child advocacy groups are asking the FTC to investigate Google for YouTube targeting kids with personalized ads.
Regulatory efforts in Europe could be influencing U.S. policymakers. A bipartisan effort to establish a new digital governing body is gaining steam. The proposed Digital Protection Commission would work with the FTC to oversee company mergers while focusing on expanding user data protections.
Dangers of Disinformation on Full Display, From Disasters to Digital Manipulation
A new political season is bringing increased attention to the dangers of disinformation in the U.S. and around the world. To protect against political misinformation, audiences should evaluate political rhetoric closely. Meta recently took down nearly 8,000 Facebook accounts linked to Chinese law enforcement spreading disinformation about U.S. politics and Covid-19 origins.
The spread of misinformation on social media is likely to spike following a major crisis, according to researchers from Stanford University. Local officials in Maui have spoken out about harmful conspiracy theories that have proliferated following coverage of the Lahaina wildfires. A developer has demonstrated the ease of building AI disinformation machines using cheap and accessible technology.
As Philanthropic Media Funding Increases, Ethics Questions Emerge
Shifting media markets and reduced newsroom resources have left news operations looking for additional financial support. A new report from Media Impact Funders reveals more foundations are funding journalism over the last five years. While philanthropic funding for journalism is not widely studied, it’s estimated philanthropies provide nonprofit news outlets up to $150 million each year.
With increases in media aid, questions of ethics and disclosures have emerged. Surveys show only 14% of for-profit publishers disclose all their donors, while nearly one-third of nonprofit media organizations reveal theirs. Significant portions of for-profit newsrooms have received grants from large tech organizations, including the Google News Initiative and Meta.
Sequence Summaries: Digital Decrees, Disinformation Danger, and Philanthropic Funding
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