275-page document<\/a> published on April 29 discusses the feasibility of forcing both vertical and horizontal interoperability onto all major social media applications, naming X, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube as major targets.<\/p>\nAccording to the study, these platforms could be forced to platform content from their more moderation-focused rivals, as well as be legally obligated to make their recommender algorithms, news feeds, and user accounts interoperable with websites more favoured by Brussels, such as BlueSky.<\/p>\n
Platforms could also be forced to allow third-party \u201cmoderation\u201d systems to access their digital infrastructure, which would enable enhanced censoring of certain content for some users.<\/p>\n
It also claims that while forcing the horizontal merging of social media systems within the EU could lead to some difficulties when it came to moderating content, these problems could be alleviated by making platforms use the same \u201cexisting technology\u201d to limit what is allowed on their platforms.<\/p>\n
Banning social media companies from moderating their own platforms is also floated as a solution to the issue, with the document suggesting that supposedly \u201cindependent\u201d third-party content controllers could be given the authority to control speech instead.<\/p>\n
\u201cStakeholders pointed out that a decentralised approach could be adopted, with community moderators having the right to ban or punish individuals from their community. This would be in contrast to the current centralised approach adopted by a few companies,\u201d it reads.<\/p>\n
BlueSky is singled out as currently operating a moderation system that could be forced across multiple platforms, with the report repeating claims that its approach combats \u201ctoxic\u201d elements within the current ecosystem.<\/p>\n
\u201cRegarding content curation, an end user organisation stated that it would be best for users to have choice over the recommender systems or curation algorithms they want to apply for their feed (e.g. Bluesky with a third-party plugin),\u201d the report reads.<\/p>\n
\u201cDespite requiring significant investments, time and hard negotiation effort among all relevant parties, the interviewed stakeholder believes the industry should aim for such a future as it would provide better protection from the toxic algorithms users are witnessing at the moment.\u201d<\/p>\n
The report concludes that such integration of social media platforms \u2014 despite countless problems regarding structural differences between the likes of Instagram, X, TikTok and other websites \u2014 is nevertheless \u201cfeasible\u201d.<\/p>\n
It also argues that such an EU edict could make the space more competitive.<\/p>\n
Writing on the report, the European Commission played down the document, saying that it has so far found \u201cno clear demand for interoperability between designated social networks\u201d.<\/p>\n
The body added that it would keep the findings of the document in mind in the future for potential review.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe Commission will continue to monitor and assess how these services evolve,\u201d it said.<\/p>\n
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