Arcom called on social networks on Monday for more effort and transparency in the fight against misinformation.

The audiovisual regulator particularly singled out TikTok in its report published the same day.

For the third consecutive year, around ten platforms such as Google, Meta (Facebook, Instagram), Snapchat, Twitter and (for the first time this year) TikTok and Pinterest answered Arcom's questions on the measures taken in 2021 to combat “fake news”.

They are obliged to do so by the law against the manipulation of information adopted at the end of 2018.

TikTok on the wire

Overall, Arcom observes "an improvement in the quantity of information declared" and an "intensification" of the cooperation of the platforms.

But “transparency efforts still appear to be very insufficient”.

TikTok, Yahoo and “to a lesser extent” Google stand out “by the absence of tangible information” provided to the regulator.

“TikTok is a special case”, underlines Benoît Loutrel, member of Arcom.

The company has taken "an incredible place at lightning speed", especially among young people, and the regulator notes a significant gap between its audience and its "particularly imprecise" statements.

The Chinese social network notably omits “several central issues (reporting, moderation)” and does not provide figures relating to France.

Arcom further points to TikTok's "selective implementation" of its "state-controlled media" labeling policy.

The social network is attracting the attention of the government.

Digital Minister Jean-Noël Barrot recently met with the management of TikTok France to discuss another controversial subject: the transfer of user data to China.

Soon fines for social networks

The 2018 law is now showing "its limits" because Arcom cannot sanction platforms for their breaches.

But the European Digital Services Act (DSA) “will be a game-changer”, underlines the regulator in its report.

This regulation, applicable in the summer of 2023, authorizes the European Commission to impose fines on platforms of up to 6% of their worldwide turnover.



In France, the control bodies responsible for enforcing this text will be designated next year with a dedicated bill.

Arcom said it was ready to “work” on its implementation in collaboration with the competent authorities.

In the “weeks and months to come”, the regulator will also be very busy with the situation of Twitter, shaken since the arrival of Elon Musk at its head.

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  • TikTok

  • fake news

  • Social networks

  • high tech

  • Meta

  • Google

  • Twitter