Latest news with #DigitalFairnessAct
RTÉ News
3 days ago
- Health
- RTÉ News
Commissioner McGrath raises 'SkinnyTok' concerns with TikTok CEO
Michael McGrath, EU Commissioner for Democracy, Justice, the Rule of Law and Consumer Protection, has held an online meeting with TikTok CEO Shou Chew. In a statement, Mr McGrath described it as a constructive meeting during which a number of items were discussed including data protection and data flows, consumer protection, the Commission's plans for a Digital Fairness Act, the protection of minors online, and plans for a European Democracy Shield. The Commissioner also raised the trend known as 'SkinnyTok', the social media hashtag which promotes often dangerous advice on weight-loss and dieting. "I raised with Mr Chew the dangers posed to minors in particular by the social media hashtag SkinnyTok," Mr McGrath said. "I reaffirmed that the protection of minors online is a top priority of the European Commission and there are clear obligations on all social media platforms to ensure children are safe online." The risks associated with TikTok's algorithms are already part of the investigation opened by the European Commission against TikTok in February 2024. This investigation is specifically addressing TikTok's mitigation measures in relation to harmful algorithmic recommendation, including in relation to eating disorders. "For his part, Mr Chew said TikTok is taking the matter very seriously and is engaging with Commission officials in the context of the application of the Digital Services Act to ensure the required mitigation is in place," Mr McGrath said. "This is a live investigation which will take its course in the normal way but I felt it was important to reiterate the Commission's strong stance on child protection," he added. In a statement to RTÉ's Morning Ireland, TikTok said it has "strict rules" against dangerous weight loss behaviours on its platform, and the app offers several wellbeing resources, ways to connect with experts. It added that for teenage viewers, some content with harmful body ideals is age restricted.
The Journal
19-05-2025
- Politics
- The Journal
Role of influencers to be considered under EU's 'democracy shield' plans
THE ROLE OF influencers will be considered under the EU's plan to develop a 'democracy shield' which aims to tackle the spread of online misinformation and protect European democracy, according to Michael McGrath, European Commissioner for Justice. Speaking at an event at the IIEA in Dublin today on 'Future-Proofing EU Democracy', McGrath was questioned on the role of influencers online and in particular the information they are disseminating to younger people. 'On the role of influencers, yes, we are going to consider it in the context of 'the Shield' and also from a consumer point of view under the proposed Digital Fairness Act. 'I think the key issue there is transparency. If somebody is part of a commercial transaction, is being paid to promote a product or a service. I think consumers and the general public have a right to know that. There is legislation here in Ireland, but not every member state has such legislation. But it is an area that is going to be considered,' said McGrath. The Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) and Advertising Standards Authority published guidance on influencer marketing in October 2023. The agencies are understood to be clamping down on the regulations this year. Fact-checking network McGrath, who is the Irish Commissioner responsible for democracy, justice, the rule of law and consumer protection also spoke about Europe's plans to build a European network of fact-checkers, which he said will operate in all official EU languages. He said they will play 'a crucial role in verifying information and countering disinformation'. The network will empower citizens with accurate information, crucial for informed decision making, he said. 'But let me be clear, defending facts is not censorship. The right to freedom of expression does not apply to incitement or to hate speech, fake accounts or bots or trolls, nor does it apply to deliberate attempts sponsored by hostile actors to influence political debates and elections,' he said. European Commissioner for Justice Michael McGrath. Alamy Stock Photo Alamy Stock Photo McGrath said the public's 'genuine concern about issues' such as the cost-of-living, housing, and immigration are oftentimes 'being manipulated'. 'That is what we have to guard against and make sure that the manipulation is rooted out and is addressed. And that's what we will seek to do through the various tools and platforms that we have,' he said. Advertisement 'I think it's important we do invest in providing people with the facts. At the end of the day, it's the people's democracy. They will elect whoever they want to elect. It's their choice and we must always uphold and defend the rights of people to freely choose their representatives, but they shouldn't be doing so based on uninformed opinions. 'They should have the information that they need to make up their own mind, or at least know where they can access it. We have a duty, I think, to inform people where information is being brought forward that is blatantly incorrect,' the commissioner said. McGrath said he had 'no fears around freedom of speech' within the European Union. 'It is absolutely safe. In fact, I think people have never had more freedom to speak and to express strongly held views on a whole range of different issues. 'Any of us only have to open up our phone or computer, we will see very strongly held views being expressed, expressed on an ongoing basis about a whole range of issues. And that is absolutely right and proper. 'People should have the right to do so, and as the commissioner in charge of the charter of fundamental rights, I will be the first to stand in defense of freedom of expression,' said McGrath. 'Delicate issue' When asked about people that express what some might describe as 'far-right' views, McGrath said there is a need to 'be careful not to give the impression that 'we know best' or that we are lecturing people or telling people, 'well, you don't realise the importance of democracy' or 'you're voting for the wrong people', or 'you're misinformed''. Describing it as a 'delicate issue', McGrath said there is a need to engage with people, stating that the most powerful tool of all is to listen to people about why they hold the views that they hold and why they vote the way that they vote. The work underway is to ensure everyone has the information that they need and can access factual information, he explained. 'That, for me, is fundamentally what our role is. People will vote for who they choose. That's their fundamental democratic right, the founding value of the European Union, and we must protect and uphold it in every respect. But we have to make sure that that the pillars of our democracy and the pillars that support them in their decision-making, around rule of law, around equality, around freedom, around human rights, respect for human dignity, that all of those, are fully upheld,' said McGrath. GDPR Reforms The commissioner was also asked about reforms to GDPR that are in the works at a European level. McGrath said there is a need to strike a balance, but confirmed that there are moves to simplify the burden of compliance with the GDPR rules. 'We are committed to doing that, so I will be bringing forward measures to ease the burden of compliance with GDPR, while at the same time protecting that fundamental right of the protection of of personal data,' he said. The Journal FactCheck unit is the fact-checker partner for the Ireland EDMO hub (European Digital Media Observatory). You can find more about our collaborative work across media literacy, research and other tools against disinformation here . EDMO receives funding from a European Union programme but is an independent observatory with its own governing board and an independent advisory board. You can read more about EDMO here , and the Ireland EDMO hub here . Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. Learn More Support The Journal
Euronews
11-04-2025
- Business
- Euronews
EU Digital Fairness Act is for business as much as consumers, says justice commissioner
ADVERTISEMENT Speaking at the European Retail Innovation Summit in Brussels on Wednesday, McGrath described the new law as 'both a pro-consumer and pro-business initiative'. His remarks were aimed at reassuring retailers and digital firms wary of yet another layer of EU regulation, following the implementation of the Digital Services Act and the Digital Markets Act. 'We want to reduce administrative burdens to create a competitive and pro-business environment,' McGrath told the audience of industry representatives and policy experts. The Digital Fairness Act is being designed to tackle manipulative and unethical commercial practices in the digital space. It will draw on findings from the Commission's Digital Fairness Fitness Check , a major review of EU consumer law published last October. That report identified persistent gaps in regulation, including the widespread use of so-called 'dark patterns' – design tricks that mislead or pressure users into making ill-informed choices. The legislation is also expected to address influencer marketing, the addictive design of digital services, personalised pricing based on user profiling, video games currency and other emerging risks that current consumer rules are deemed ill-equipped to handle. McGrath acknowledged that complying with EU-wide consumer protection laws costs businesses millions of euros each year. He insisted the new law would offer greater legal certainty and lighten the administrative load on companies, particularly smaller ones. A public consultation is due to launch 'in the coming weeks', with a legislative proposal expected by mid-2026. Maria-Myrto Kanellopoulou, who heads the European Commission's consumer law unit, said the law would be developed with 'careful' and 'thorough' consultations, 'we will to take the time' she told attendees.
Euronews
21-03-2025
- Business
- Euronews
European Commission targets in-game currency in children's video games
ADVERTISEMENT The European Commission announced on Friday a new consumer protection probe into Star Stable Online, a children's video game where players explore an online world by riding horses and competing with friends in obstacle races. However, players who spend real money gain advantages within the game. To acquire items, players – mostly children – must exchange real money for in-game currency, known as "star coins". The European Commission, in collaboration with the Consumer Protection Cooperation Network (which brings together consumer protection organisations from member states), has requested information from Swedish game developer Star Stable Entertainment AB to understand their commercial practices. The Swedish Consumers' Association claims that several of these practices violate EU consumer protection laws, citing pressure to buy through advertisements, lack of transparency in transactions, and the use of influencers to promote products to children. European Union flags blow in the wind as pedestrians walk by EU Commission headquarters in Brussels, 20 September, 2023 AP Photo In a statement, the EU consumer protection group noted: "Consumers – especially children and teenagers who are regular video game users – remain very vulnerable to such manipulative and unfair practices," welcoming the Commission's first steps. The company has one month to respond to the request for information. Meanwhile, the Commission has issued guidelines on the use of in-game currency in video games, emphasising the need for clarity, respect for withdrawal rights, and avoiding pressure, particularly with vulnerable users such as children. "Children spend a lot of time online, gaming and interacting on social media. This makes them an attractive target for traders and advertisers," said Michael McGrath, Commissioner for Justice and Consumer Protection. "It is crucial to ensure a safe online environment for consumers, particularly children, so they can enjoy gaming without facing unfair practices." In the press release, the European Commission clarified that it will "continue to examine these topics in the context of forthcoming consultations on the Digital Fairness Act". The Act, currently under development, aims to close gaps in existing rules. Expected in mid-2026, consultations with stakeholders will begin next spring.
