According to data from the European Union on Thursday, Twitter took longer to examine abusive content and eliminated less of it in 2022 than the previous year.
The EU statistics were released as part of an annual review of how well online platforms adhered to the 27-nation bloc’s disinformation code of conduct.
Most other tech companies that joined the voluntary code, in addition to Twitter, also performed poorly.
The numbers, however, may portend difficulties for Twitter in adhering to the strict new online regulations from the EU after owner Elon Musk let go of many of the platform’s 7,500 full-time employees and an incalculable number of contractors in charge of content moderation and other essential duties.
The EU research concluded that, compared to 82% in 2021, Twitter only evaluated slightly more than half of the notifications it received regarding unlawful hate speech within 24 hours.
Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube required more time, with TikTok being the only speed-up app.
When hate speech was reported, Twitter erased 45.4%, down from 49.8% the year before.
All platforms saw a decline in the removal rate except YouTube, which saw a rise.
A comment from Twitter was not forthcoming.
Several employees on the company’s European communications team received undeliverable email replies.
Musk’s $44 billion purchase of Twitter last month sparked widespread worries that propagandists of false information will be given free rein on the platform.
The billionaire Tesla CEO has reinstated suspended accounts, including former President Donald Trump’s because he believes Twitter has become too restrictive.
By the middle of next year, new EU regulations to safeguard internet users’ online safety will apply to the largest online sites, putting Twitter under closer scrutiny in Europe.
Huge fines of up to 6% of a company’s yearly global revenue might be imposed for violations.
After writing to Twitter earlier this week to express concerns about the impact that staff departures would have on Twitter’s “capacity to maintain a secure environment for its users,” France’s online regulator Arcom claimed it received a response from the business.
Arcom also demanded assurances from the business that it can fulfill its “legal commitments” in battling online hate speech and is devoted to putting the new EU online standards into effect.
Without providing any information, Arcom stated that it has received a response from Twitter and will “examine their response.”
Although there is little evidence that tech companies are following their commitments to the EU’s disinformation code, they pledge to minimize disinformation and provide periodic updates on their compliance.
JOIN US ON WHAT'SAPP, TO GET INSTANT STATUS UPDATES AND BE IN THE KNOW.
CLICK HERE
