Strengthened Code of practice on disinformation: Commission and signatories call for broader participation

The Commission and the signatories of the Code of Practice on Disinformation are launching a joint call today inviting interested parties to become signatories of the strengthened Code of Practice on Disinformation. New signatories are expected to help shape the revised Code together with current signatories. Věra Jourová, Vice-President for Values and Transparency, said: “Creating a safe and trustworthy online environment is a common effort and private actors should do their part in limiting the spread of disinformation. We need a wider participation in a stronger and more comprehensive Code of Practice.” Thierry Breton, Commissioner for Internal Market, added: “The Code has been a helpful self-regulation instrument to fight disinformation. Now we must make sure that the whole sector takes responsibility to address this key challenge. I invite all relevant stakeholders to join the Code.” The call is aimed at a wide range of stakeholders, including social media services, private messaging services, players from the advertising ecosystem involved in ad placements as well as other players providing services that may be used to monetise disinformation such as e-payment services or e-commerce platforms. Other stakeholders who help assess the spread of disinformation could also become signatories, this include organisations assessing disinformation or providing ratings related to disinformation websites, as well as providers of technological solutions. Joining the Code means becoming part of an EU-wide, innovative and robust framework that aims to provide users with appropriate safeguards with regard to the misuse of online services to spread disinformation. The Code will also become a binding co-regulatory instrument within the Digital Services Act legislative framework, an additional incentive to become a signatory for very large platforms. The call builds on the recently published guidance to strengthen the Code of Practice, which suggests wider participation in the Code to make it a more comprehensive and coordinated response to the spread of disinformation. Current signatories kicked-off the process of drafting the new Code yesterday and a first draft is expected in the autumn the result is expected to be ready by the end of the year.