The European Commission questions Meta’s decision to discontinue CrowdTangle, a vital transparency tool. Concerns rise over data access and compliance with the Digital Services Act.
CrowdTangle was a widely used transparency tool developed by Meta Platforms Inc., the parent company of Facebook and Instagram. Acquired by Meta in 2016, CrowdTangle allowed researchers, journalists, and watchdog organizations to analyze public content on social media and track trends, including misinformation and hate speech. The tool provided insights into how information spreads on social platforms, significantly aiding in maintaining democratic processes and public accountability.
The decision to discontinue
On August 14, 2024, Meta officially discontinued CrowdTangle, citing the tool’s limitations in providing a comprehensive view of platform activities. According to Meta, the decision was part of an effort to introduce new tools that purportedly offer more complete data and better privacy and security standards. However, this has been met with widespread criticism from the research community and civil society, who argue that CrowdTangle was an essential resource for monitoring online misinformation, especially in the run-up to significant electoral events.
The European Commission’s concerns
The European Commission’s primary concern revolves around Meta’s compliance with the Digital Services Act (DSA), which mandates increased transparency and accountability from online platforms regarding harmful content. The discontinuation of CrowdTangle has raised alarms about Meta’s commitment to these regulations. The Commission is particularly focused on understanding how the new tools will replace CrowdTangle’s functionalities, especially in the context of elections.
Meta has introduced the Meta Content Library and Content Library API as replacements for CrowdTangle. These new tools are designed to meet regulatory requirements while adhering to Meta’s privacy and security standards. However, access to these tools is restricted to academic institutions and nonprofit organizations, excluding many journalists and commercial entities. Critics argue that the Meta Content Library lacks several key features that made CrowdTangle invaluable, such as real-time tracking of social media metrics and the ability to analyze historical data.
Implications
The shutdown of CrowdTangle has significant implications for future research and transparency in social media monitoring. Researchers and journalists have expressed concerns that the new tools do not offer the same level of accessibility and functionality, potentially hindering efforts to track misinformation and hold platforms accountable. The European Commission’s ongoing investigation will determine whether Meta’s new tools comply with the DSA and if they adequately support transparency and data access.
Meta has until September 6, 2024, to respond to the European Commission’s inquiries. The company has stated that it is gathering feedback from hundreds of researchers to improve the Meta Content Library. Depending on Meta’s response, the Commission may take further actions, including interim measures or non-compliance decisions. The outcome will significantly influence future regulatory actions and Meta’s ability to operate within the EU’s stringent digital regulatory framework.
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