The European Union has launched an offensive against content such as pornography on Instagram and violence on TikTok. With the introduction of a new database, the EU is increasing pressure on these platforms and others to curb the spread of problematic content. Five months after the launch of the initiative, it is clear: the platforms are facing major challenges, and experts are calling for more transparency in the moderation of these digital spaces.
In the vastness of social networks, there is growing concern about the spread of violence, hate speech and pornography. The EU has responded by creating a comprehensive database that sheds light on content moderation. This platform offers insights into what content is deleted or restricted by networks such as TikTok, Instagram and others. The first analyzes show: TikTok deletes significantly more content in percentage terms than Instagram, an indication of the different challenges and focuses of the platforms.
The Digital Services Act and its implications
The EU's Digital Service Act (DSA), which recently came into force, forces internet platforms to disclose their moderation practices. More than 16 major platforms have already complied with the reporting requirement, resulting in unprecedented transparency. Particularly striking is the volume of deletions on TikTok compared to Instagram and other platforms, indicating a stricter handling of policy violations.
Criticism and challenges in content moderation
The introduction of the EU database is welcomed by many quarters, but there is also criticism. Experts criticize the depth of the insights and the dependence on the platforms' self-disclosure. The role of artificial intelligence (AI) in moderation is also being questioned. While some see the technology as a solution to dealing with the flood of problematic content, others warn of its limitations, particularly when it comes to detecting violence in videos.
Questions and answers about the EU's commitment against violence and other problematic content:
Question 1: What does the EU want to do with the new database?
Answer 1: The EU wants to use the database to increase transparency about the deletion and restriction practices of social media platforms and to enable a comparison of moderation approaches.
Question 2: How do TikTok and Instagram’s moderation practices differ?
Answer 2: TikTok deletes a higher proportion of content, indicating a stricter moderation policy, especially when dealing with violence and hate speech. Instagram is focusing more on restricting pornography.
Question 3: What role does artificial intelligence play in content moderation?
Answer 3: AI is increasingly being used to automatically recognize and moderate content. However, their effectiveness is controversial, especially when detecting complex content such as violence in videos.
Question 4: How do the platforms react to pressure from the EU?
Answer 4: Platforms such as TikTok and Instagram have adapted their moderation policies and rely on both human and machine moderation to comply with EU requirements.
Question 5: What are the next steps in the fight against problematic content?
Answer 5: The EU plans to further increase the transparency and accountability requirements of platforms and calls for closer cooperation with platforms to improve content moderation.
Conclusion
The EU's efforts to curb the spread of pornography, violence and other problematic content by increasing pressure on social media platforms such as Instagram, TikTok and others mark a turning point in digital moderation practices. The new database provides a valuable resource for transparency and research, but the road to effective moderation is still long. Continuous adaptation of strategies and technologies is required to make digital spaces safer.
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Source: tagesschau.de
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