EU Launches Investigation into AliExpress for DSA BreachesEU Urges TikTok and Other Platforms to Tackle AI Risks Ahead of Elections

On Thursday, the EU utilized a robust new digital law to urge TikTok and seven other platforms to address the potential risks of artificial intelligence in the upcoming elections in the 27-member bloc, including the spread of deepfakes.

In a series of moves made under the Digital Services Act (DSA), the European Commission inquired about the efforts being taken by TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, X, Google, YouTube, Snapchat and Bing to mitigate these risks. The commission also announced an official investigation into Chinese e-commerce giant AliExpress for numerous suspected breaches of the DSA, such as the sale of illegal substances and failure to prevent minors from accessing pornography.

Additionally, the EU asked LinkedIn, Microsoft's professional social network, about the use of users' personal information for targeted advertising. "The DSA is now in full force," declared the European Union's top digital official, commissioner Thierry Breton, on social media platforms Bluesky and X. "Enforcement teams are fully mobilized," he added.

In regards to the information request made to the eight platforms regarding the risks associated with generative AI, the commission stated that it is examining issues like "hallucinations" caused by AI providing false information, the viral spread of deepfakes, and the automatic manipulation of services that can mislead voters. However, the commission clarified that these requests do not necessarily mean further action will be taken; it depends on the information gathered from the platforms.

On the other hand, the probe into AliExpress grants the EU the authority to thoroughly investigate the company's internal documents and procedures, and to obtain testimony from employees. Depending on the outcome, this could result in hefty fines for the platform or even a ban in severe cases, as stipulated by the DSA.

According to officials, the focus on generative AI and how major platforms are handling it stems from concerns about its potential impact on the upcoming European Parliament elections in June. "We want to be prepared and ensure that platforms are also well-equipped to handle all kinds of incidents that may arise during the upcoming elections, especially the EP elections," stated one official in a press briefing.

Interestingly, the announcement regarding the examination of AI risks came a day after the European Parliament voted to adopt a new law aimed at curbing the misuse of artificial intelligence. This legislation will take effect once it is formally approved by EU member states.

Overall, the EU's legal arsenal to regulate the digital realm has been significantly strengthened in recent months with the introduction of the DSA, the Digital Markets Act, and the AI Act. These measures aim to safeguard European citizens and businesses while promoting innovation. These laws could potentially serve as a blueprint for other countries, particularly in the Western world.

In contrast, the United States, which has an executive order on AI safety standards, may enforce a ban on TikTok if it remains under the ownership of Chinese parent company ByteDance. In fact, US lawmakers have already voted in favor of a bill that would require ByteDance to divest itself of TikTok within six months; the bill still needs to be approved by the Senate.

However, the EU officials stated that their actions, including those taken against TikTok, are not targeted at China specifically, and that all online platforms are being treated equally under the DSA. They also hinted that more actions are likely to be taken in the future, as they are constantly working on the information gathered.

Ann Castro
Ann Castro Author
Ann Castro carries a total of 7 years experience in the healthcare domain. She owns a Master’s of Medicine Degree. She bagged numerous awards by contributing in the medical field with her ground-breaking notions. Ann has developed her own style of working and known for accuracy in her work. She loves trekking. She visits new places whenever she gets free time.