Fu Yun Chi
BRUSSELS (Reuters) – Meta Platforms (NASDAQ:) has added security features to its disinformation tracking tool CrowdTangle for use during European Parliament elections in a bid to allay EU concerns that last month prompted an investigation into the implications of its decision to phase out the tool.
The US social media platform said last week that candidates in next month’s election will be shown a notice at the top of their Facebook and Instagram feeds on how to protect themselves and their accounts.
This includes directing them to resources that explain, among other things, how to set up two-factor authentication, review security settings, or set up “Hidden Words,” an Instagram feature that automatically sends private message requests containing offensive words, phrases, and emojis to a hidden folder.
Meta, which has more than 250 million monthly users in the European Union, on Monday followed up last week’s announcement with real-time impressions for each EU country, sorted by relevant keywords, public groups and Instagram accounts, allowing real-time election monitoring time. researchers, journalists and civil society.
The European Commission welcomed the move.
“The Commission will monitor the effective implementation of these features and will continue to work with Meta to find more permanent solutions that address all of its concerns outlined in the opening decision,” the EU executive said in a statement.
“Official proceedings against Meta remain open,” the statement said.