EU, Meta agree to July stress test on EU online content rules

Meta and EU agree on a stress test in July on EU’s online content rules

Meta and the European Union (EU) have agreed on a stress test in July on the EU's online content rules, following EU industry chief Thierry Breton's demand that the social media platform act immediately over Meta's content targeting children.

"Productive discussion with Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg in Menlo Park on EU digital rules: DSA, DMA & AI Act," Breton said in a tweet, adding that 1,000 Meta employees are working on the Digital Services Act (DSA).

Productive discussion with @Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg in Menlo Park 🇺🇸 on EU digital rules: DSA, DMA & AI Act.

Preparedness on its way with 1000 Meta employees working on #DSA

We agreed to do a ‘stress test’ in July.

EU’s motto: “Move fast to fix things” 🇪🇺 pic.twitter.com/8LoJpD7c7O

— Thierry Breton (@ThierryBreton) June 23, 2023

Breton had earlier in June said that Meta would have to demonstrate the measures it plans to take to comply with European Union online content rules known as the Digital Services Act (DSA) after Aug. 25 or face heavy sanctions.

#Meta’s voluntary code on child protection seems not to work.

Mark Zuckerberg must now explain & take immediate action.

I will discuss with him at Meta’s HQ in Menlo Park on 23 June.

After 25 August, under #DSA Meta has to demonstrate measures to us or face heavy sanctions. pic.twitter.com/jA25IJH8Dp

— Thierry Breton (@ThierryBreton) June 8, 2023

The DSA bans certain types of targeted advertisements on online platforms such as those meant for children or when they use special categories of personal data, such as ethnicity, political views and sexual orientation.

Meta did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment.