Exclusive: EU Commissioner Thierry Breton Highlights Struggle to Enforce Content Monitoring by Tech Giants
The European Union (EU) is planning to enlist a corps of “schoolyard guardians” to raise awareness of the world’s inaugural regulations aimed at combatting online harms, including child sexual exploitation and content related to eating disorders and suicide. Thierry Breton, the EU Commissioner responsible for these recently implemented laws, is developing ambitious strategies to ensure that children, parents, and educators are informed about how to report content that is not only harmful but also illegal.
“We want to ensure that in every educational institution, there is an individual who can educate the entire community, including students, about these developments,” Breton shared exclusively with The Guardian. He emphasized his desire for every student and parent to understand that “what is illegal in the schoolyard is also illegal on social networks.”
Under the Digital Services Act (DSA), 19 major online platforms, including Facebook, Google, and TikTok, are compelled to enhance their content policing measures and remove algorithms that deliver inappropriate content to children. Over the past three weeks, platforms, including X (formerly Twitter), have featured a specific reporting option guiding users on how to “report illegal EU content.”
These platforms are required to respond within 24 hours to reports of suspected legal violations. If they fail to provide a satisfactory resolution, users can escalate the issue to a designated “trusted flagger” at their national regulatory authority. This review must be treated as a “matter of priority” by the tech company. In the event of a legal dispute, complainants will have the option to assert their new legal rights under the DSA in court.
However, one of the challenges facing the European Commission is raising awareness of these regulations to ensure that children remain safe in the digital realm, particularly when they are in their bedrooms or away from the supervision of their parents or teachers.
Breton emphasized the importance of educating the entire educational system, emphasizing daily interactions with children, parents, and educators. He noted the significant opposition faced during the legislative process, particularly from tech companies seeking to thwart the proposals.
“This a quantum leap [from] the way it was before,” Breton remarked, highlighting the profound changes introduced by the DSA.
The grassroots campaign to recruit “schoolyard guardians” is anticipated to be one of the EU’s largest initiatives to date. Eurostat, the EU’s data agency, reports that there are approximately 36 million children in secondary school and 24 million in primary school across the EU, many of whom engage with social media from an early age.
Although no specific cost has been allocated to this endeavor, it is expected that the 27 member states will incorporate the initiative into their national discourse, similar to previous road safety campaigns.
Breton, recognized as one of the most influential commissioners in Brussels, believes that the threat of fines up to 6% of global revenue or a complete ban on operations in the EU will serve as a powerful incentive for tech companies to fulfill their new legal obligations. He expressed hope that sanctions would not be necessary but emphasized his commitment to applying them when required.
Additionally, Breton stressed that companies must also uphold freedom of expression and implement processes to assess content based on legal obligations rather than political or personal interests.
The commissioner is presently engaged in meetings with education ministers from EU member states and has already interacted with judges across Europe to elucidate the new law, ensuring a robust legal recourse for victims.
“It is of utmost importance now to ensure the education of all stakeholders, including justice departments, education departments, parents, and, of course, the education system,” Breton emphasized.
Breton explained that the Digital Services Act (DSA) will actively pursue individuals behind some of the most reprehensible online content, such as child sexual abuse and content that interferes with elections. The EU will rely on tech companies and users to flag instances of disinformation or fake news. Two test cases are on the horizon with upcoming elections in Slovakia and Poland in the coming weeks.
Breton acknowledged that state actors propagating disinformation might be beyond the reach of the new EU laws. However, he asserted that additional legislation would be proposed if necessary, stating, “We will leverage the DSA, and if adjustments are needed, we will make them.”
It was confirmed that the EU’s laws would not be applicable to the UK or Northern Ireland, despite the unique Brexit trade arrangements. Nonetheless, it is likely that the 40 companies that have committed to complying with the DSA will adopt a transcontinental approach, especially in light of the UK’s forthcoming online safety bill.
Regarding rumors about his potential aspirations to succeed Ursula von der Leyen as president of the commission, Breton expressed contentment with his current position. He stated, “I am very zen about the future” and added enigmatically, “I have learned in my life never to ask a question when there is no answer.
