A new study commissioned by the European Commission has revealed that major online platforms such as Meta, YouTube, X and TikTok have failed to curb the spread and impact of Kremlin-backed disinformation campaigns, especially in the context of the ongoing war in Ukraine. The study, conducted by civil society groups, found that pro-Kremlin accounts have reached over 165 million subscribers and generated more than 16 billion views since February 2022, despite the platforms’ commitments to a voluntary Code of Practice on Disinformation.
X’s Role in Amplifying Kremlin Propaganda
The study singled out X (formerly Twitter) as the platform where the engagement of pro-Kremlin accounts grew the most, by 36 percent between January and May 2023. This was largely due to the decision of its new owner, Elon Musk, to lift mitigation measures on Kremlin-backed accounts and remove labels from Russian state-affiliated accounts, arguing that “all news is to some degree propaganda.” The study criticized this move as a “reckless disregard for the safety and security of European citizens and democracy.”
Meta’s Inconsistent and Ineffective Policies
The study also found that Meta’s platforms, namely Facebook and Instagram, had the largest audiences for pro-Kremlin content in absolute numbers, but their growth was marginal compared to other platforms. However, this does not mean that Meta was successful in combating disinformation. The study pointed out that Meta’s policies were applied inconsistently and ineffectively across its services, allowing actors to exploit loopholes and evade detection. For example, Meta only removed content that directly incited violence or hate speech, but ignored content that spread false or misleading narratives about the war in Ukraine.
YouTube and TikTok’s Lack of Transparency and Accountability
The study also highlighted the lack of transparency and accountability of YouTube and TikTok, two platforms that saw a significant increase in the subscriber numbers of pro-Kremlin channels, by almost 90 percent and more than 100 percent respectively. The study noted that YouTube and TikTok did not provide sufficient information on how they identified and moderated disinformation content, nor did they share data on the reach and impact of such content. The study also raised concerns about the role of algorithms and recommendation systems in amplifying disinformation content on these platforms.
Telegram’s Exemption from EU Regulation
The study also mentioned Telegram as a platform where pro-Kremlin accounts more than tripled their subscriber numbers since the start of the war. However, Telegram is not classified as a very large online platform (VLOP) under the EU’s Digital Services Act (DSA), which means that it does not have to comply with the act’s requirements until next year when it goes into effect for all online platforms. The study urged the EU to reconsider this exemption and to include Telegram in its regulatory framework.
The Need for Stronger EU Action
The study concluded that the voluntary Code of Practice on Disinformation was not enough to ensure that online platforms take effective action against foreign information manipulation and interference. It called for stronger EU action, such as enforcing the DSA’s risk management framework, imposing sanctions for non-compliance, supporting independent research and civil society initiatives, and enhancing cooperation with NATO and other international partners. The study also stressed the importance of raising public awareness and media literacy among European citizens to counter disinformation.
