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## Social media companies accused of failing to stop Russian disinformation campaigns

*By James Clayton, North America technology reporter*

*Published: 2 September 2023, 03:19 BST*

*Image source: Getty Images*

Social media companies have been accused by the European Union (EU) of failing to prevent “large-scale” Russian disinformation campaigns following the invasion of Ukraine. According to a report by the EU Commission, the influence and reach of Kremlin-backed accounts have continued to grow in 2023. The report specifically highlights an increase in Russian disinformation on X (formerly Twitter) since the company was acquired by Elon Musk. Despite the EU’s attempts to deal with Kremlin-backed disinformation, the study suggests that Twitter’s safety standards have been compromised, leading to the rise in such campaigns.

The BBC has reached out to Twitter, Meta, TikTok, and YouTube for comment, but has not received a response so far. The report also states that pro-Kremlin accounts consistently reach the largest audiences on Meta’s platforms. Additionally, the study reveals that the audience size for Kremlin-backed accounts has more than tripled on Telegram. It further criticizes the social media platforms for not consistently applying their terms of service in several eastern European languages.

The EU recently introduced stricter rules under the Digital Services Act (DSA) for major online platforms. These rules demand a more aggressive approach to tackling content that includes disinformation and hate speech. Large social media companies with at least 45 million monthly active users are required to comply with the DSA’s regulations. The report concludes that if the DSA had been operational earlier, social media companies would have violated their legal duties and could have faced possible fines.

The study also highlights the significant increase in the audience and reach of pro-Kremlin social media accounts throughout Europe in 2022. It refers to a tweet by Elon Musk on 9 April, where he confirmed that his platform would no longer limit Kremlin-run accounts. This move by Musk received criticism, with some arguing that banning Vladimir Putin from the platform would have been appropriate, considering former President Donald Trump’s ban.

In this scenario, the AI legalese decoder can play a crucial role in addressing the issue of Russian disinformation campaigns. The Decoder uses advanced artificial intelligence algorithms to analyze and interpret legal text, helping policymakers draft and implement stricter regulations to combat this problem effectively. By deciphering complex legalese and identifying areas where platforms have failed to adhere to their terms of service, the AI legalese decoder can contribute to holding social media companies accountable for their role in spreading disinformation. With its ability to process a vast amount of legal information, the Decoder can assist lawmakers in designing more robust and comprehensive frameworks like the Digital Services Act, ensuring that social media platforms actively combat disinformation and hate speech.

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