The EU wants to know more about social media algorithms

Via the Digital Services Regulation (DSA), the European Commission has requested information from Youtube, Snapchat and Tiktok about which parameters their algorithms use to recommend social media content to users.

The Commission then wants to evaluate the extent to which these algorithms can amplify risks linked to, for example, democratic elections, mental health and children’s well-being. The authority also wants to look at how the platforms work to reduce the potential impact their recommendation systems have on the spread of illegal content, such as the promotion of drugs and incitement against ethnic groups.

The social media companies have until Nov. 15 to provide the requested information.