What have other companies done after being placed on the European Union's list of digital firms that are big enough to come under stricter safety rules?

 Here are some actions companies have taken after being added to the EU's list of Very Large Online Platforms (VLOPs) subject to stricter safety rules under the Digital Services Act (DSA):

Increased Transparency and Reporting:

• Transparency Reports: Companies have increased the detail and frequency of their transparency reports. These reports disclose how they handle illegal content, hate speech, and disinformation on their platforms.
• User Reporting Mechanisms: Some companies have streamlined user reporting mechanisms for flagging harmful content, making it easier for users to report issues.

Content Moderation and Risk Assessments:

• Enhanced Content Moderation: VLOPs have invested in more resources for human and automated content moderation to identify and remove harmful content more effectively.
• Risk Assessments: Companies are conducting more comprehensive risk assessments to identify potential areas where their platforms might be misused for spreading hate speech, disinformation, or violent content.

User Safety Measures:

• Age Verification Systems: Some platforms have implemented stricter age verification systems to restrict access to inappropriate content for underage users.
• Algorithm Adjustments: Companies are reviewing and adjusting their algorithms to prevent the spread of harmful content and promote more trustworthy sources of information.

Cooperation with Regulators:

• Increased Communication: VLOPs are actively engaging with EU regulators to understand the new regulations and ensure compliance.
• Data Sharing: Some companies are collaborating with regulators by sharing data on the types and volume of harmful content they encounter on their platforms.

Examples:

• Google: Stepped up efforts to remove harmful content and disinformation, particularly around sensitive topics like elections and public health.
• Facebook (Meta): Increased transparency reporting on content moderation efforts and implemented stricter age verification measures.
• Amazon: Enhanced its systems to detect and remove fake product reviews and counterfeit goods listed on its marketplace.

It's important to note:

• The DSA is still relatively new, and the long-term impact on VLOPs' practices is yet to be fully understood.
• Some companies have faced criticism for not moving fast enough or effectively enough to comply with the new regulations.

Overall, being added to the VLOPs list has pushed major tech companies to be more accountable for the content and safety on their platforms. The EU is closely monitoring their efforts, and we can expect to see further developments in how these companies approach content moderation and user safety in the future.