In an era where disinformation runs rampant, transparency and accountability are crucial. Our research dives deep into the self-reporting practices of major social media platforms and highlights areas where improvements can be made.
Understanding the Code of Practice
The strengthened EU Code of Practice on Disinformation, established in 2022, serves as a self-regulatory framework to combat the spread of online disinformation. This voluntary commitment involves various stakeholders, including online platforms, advertising firms, fact-checkers, and civil society organizations. To address disinformation effectively, third-party access to data for researchers is a pivotal element, ensuring independent analysis and accountability.
Evaluating Data Access and Reporting
Our report focuses on the self-reporting of major social media platforms – Facebook, Instagram (Meta), YouTube, TikTok, and Twitter/X. These platforms pledged to enable access to relevant data for researchers as part of their Code of Practice obligations. Our analysis provides insights into their compliance with these commitments and assesses the transparency of their self-reporting.
Key Findings
We have identified several significant findings concerning the transparency and data access practices of these platforms:
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Meta (Facebook and Instagram): While Meta has shown a commitment to reporting obligations, some aspects remain only partially fulfilled. Our report sheds light on areas such as Measures 26.1, 26.2, and 27.4, where Meta’s compliance falls short of complete transparency. The issue of “manifestly made public data” is a key concern here, as variations in its interpretation across platforms require a standardized definition.
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YouTube (Google): Among the platforms assessed, YouTube emerges as a frontrunner in self-reporting. It provides comprehensive explanations for all data access obligations under the Code. Despite its transparency, there remain certain limitations in accessing specific types of public data, highlighting the need for clearer definitions.
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TikTok: This platform lags behind its counterparts, particularly in granting data access to researchers. While an intention to develop a new API is expressed, current access is restricted to researchers in the United States. Plans for expanded access to the EU are in the pipeline, but limitations persist as access will be limited to academic institutions.
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Twitter (X): Despite its rebranding as X, Twitter’s compliance has dwindled, leading to its withdrawal from the Code. This move could potentially clash with EU Digital Services Act obligations once applicable. The report delves into the repercussions and implications of this departure.
The Way Forward
Our research culminates in strategic industry and policy recommendations:
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Key Performance Indicators (KPIs): The Code of Practice should incorporate KPIs to provide a standardized measure of data accessibility. This ensures better comparison across platforms and a unified understanding of manifestly made public data.
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Enhanced Mechanism for Compliance: Within the Code of Practice, a robust mechanism should be introduced to compel signatories to provide comprehensive information. This would address instances of partial information disclosure and foster greater transparency.
At the crossroads of disinformation and accountability, our report offers a roadmap for a more transparent digital landscape – by fostering adherence to the Code of Practice and refining data access practices. Read the full report to learn more.
