In this brief, prepared for the purpose of the hearing organised by EPP and Renew on DSA Enforcement and the protection of minors, we tried to match the most promising claims made by VLOPs with evidence coming from independent research or civil society investigations.
Significant momentum is building around Europe to step up on online minors protection. In October last year the European Parliament adopted a strong own-initiative report on that matter, urging the European Commission to make “full use of its powers under the Digital Services Act (DSA), including issuing fines or, as a last resort, banning non-compliant sites or applications that endanger minors”. MEPs also proposed an EU-wide digital minimum age of 16 for access to social media, video sharing platforms and AI companions, unless authorised by parents. Two weeks ago the European Commission preliminarily found TikTok in breach of the DSA for its addictive design. According to these findings, TikTok did not adequately assess how its addictive features could harm the physical and mental wellbeing of its users, including minors and vulnerable adults. It is the first case in which the Commission used articles 34 and 35 of the DSA to question fundamental design choices made by the company.
The Global Coalition for Tech Justice is a newly formed global movement to ensure Big Tech plays its role in protecting elections and citizens’ rights and freedoms across the world, particularly in the global majority where companies – Meta/Facebook, Google/YouTube, Twitter, TikTok et al – have been negligent in dealing with the impacts of their social media and messaging products.
$30 million initial investment will bridge gaps between industry, civil society, and policymakers, broadening generative AI infrastructure in service of society
All Tech Is Human has developed this free program in order to help build the Responsible Tech pipeline – by facilitating connections and career development among talented students, career changers, and practitioners.
Black communities need an affirmative vision of technology that protects our civil rights and advances our needs. A campaign nominated for a 2023 Webby Award.
