EU Establishes Code of Practice to Combat Disinformation

European regulators have called for significant improvements to the Code of Practice on Disinformation, outlining a series of recommendations aimed at major technology platforms operating within the European Union.

The European Commission published detailed guidance this week addressing what it describes as “gaps and shortcomings” in the current framework, which was established in 2018 as a voluntary set of commitments for online platforms to combat false information online.

“The digital landscape has evolved considerably since the Code was first implemented,” said a Commission spokesperson. “While the Code has provided a valuable foundation, our experience during recent elections and the COVID-19 pandemic has demonstrated that stronger measures are necessary to protect European citizens from harmful disinformation campaigns.”

The Commission’s guidance specifically urges platforms to adopt more rigorous content monitoring protocols, increase transparency in political advertising, and provide researchers with better access to data that can help track and analyze disinformation trends. Tech giants including Meta (formerly Facebook), Google, Twitter (now X), Microsoft, and TikTok are among the signatories who would be affected by these changes.

Industry experts note that the timing of this announcement is significant, coming just months before the EU’s landmark Digital Services Act (DSA) takes full effect. The DSA will impose legally binding obligations on major platforms regarding content moderation and algorithmic transparency.

“This guidance effectively serves as a bridge between the voluntary Code and the mandatory requirements coming under the DSA,” explained Julia Eckert, a digital policy analyst at Brussels-based think tank European Policy Centre. “Platforms that fail to strengthen their commitments now may find themselves struggling to comply with the DSA when enforcement begins.”

Alongside these recommendations, the Commission announced the launch of national hubs for the European Digital Media Observatory (EDMO) across member states. These hubs will serve as specialized centers dedicated to detecting, analyzing and exposing disinformation campaigns at both national and regional levels.

The EDMO initiative represents a significant investment in the EU’s fact-checking infrastructure, bringing together academic researchers, fact-checkers, media organizations, and other stakeholders to coordinate efforts against disinformation. Each national hub will adapt its approach to the specific linguistic and cultural context of its region while contributing to a broader European network.

“Disinformation doesn’t respect national boundaries, but it often exploits cultural nuances and linguistic specificities,” said Vera Jourová, Vice President for Values and Transparency at the European Commission. “These national hubs will allow us to respond more effectively to disinformation that targets specific communities while maintaining a coordinated European approach.”

The expansion of EDMO comes at a critical time, with the EU facing multiple elections in member states and growing concern about foreign interference in democratic processes. Russian disinformation campaigns have been particularly active in attempting to shape public opinion on issues ranging from the war in Ukraine to COVID-19 vaccines.

Media industry representatives have generally welcomed both initiatives. “Strengthening the Code and expanding EDMO’s reach are complementary approaches to a complex problem,” said Maria Ressa, CEO of Rappler and Nobel Peace Prize laureate. “Technology platforms need clearer guidelines and stronger incentives to address disinformation, while fact-checkers and researchers need more resources and better access to data.”

The Commission has given platforms three months to submit updated commitments in line with the new guidance. While compliance remains voluntary under the current Code, the forthcoming DSA framework will create a more rigorous regulatory environment with potential penalties for non-compliance.

These developments underscore the EU’s position as the world’s leading regulator of digital platforms, continuing a pattern established with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and other digital policy initiatives that have influenced global standards.