'Profit over safety', TikTok announce more cuts and the global regulatory gap
Hello and welcome to Everything in Moderation's Week in Review, your need-to-know news and analysis about platform policy, content moderation and internet regulation. It's written by me, Ben Whitelaw and supported by members like you.
Advanced warning for all EiM readers: this week's news isn't pretty. Regulatory enforcement is under strain, platforms continue to make personnel cuts, and AI-generated content is testing the limits of existing systems. Twitch's updates to its policy violation systems and Alice's guide — from Monday's T&S Insider— about how to write better transparency reports are two bright spots of note.
I know that's not the full story, though. So if you're an online safety, digital rights or privacy experts innovating behind the scenes — or know someone that is — and want to share your knowledge and learnings with EiM readers, get in touch. I'm hoping to do more Viewpoints interviews over the coming months and your ideas will help shape who I speak to.
Here's everything in moderation from the last week — BW
Policies
New and emerging internet policy and online speech regulation
Poland has missed the latest deadline to appoint a Digital Services Coordinator (DSC) in the newest blow to the enforcement of the EU’s Digital Services Act (DSA). Euronews reported that a two-month Commission milestone expired this week without formal confirmation of a regulator, although a government source said it was “focusing on quality, rather than speed, to make sure that the legislation is sound and effective”.
What's next?: Poland could be referred to the European Court of Justice if if continues to fail to respond. Belgium, the other country whose knuckles were rapped back in December, appointed a DSC two weeks ago (EiM #281).
Countries in South East Asia have been busy announcing new online speech laws (EiM #276) and Malaysia has been no exception. Its licensing scheme for social media platforms came into force on 1st January with platforms with more than 8 million Malaysian users bound to moderate content, prevent the spread of illegal material, and take proactive measures against harmful accounts. But, as the South China Morning Post reports, take up has been lumpy with Google and X/Twitter contesting their need for licences and civil society organisations concerned about vague terminology that could lead to “broad interpretation and potential misuse”. One to watch.