All hail the new EU law that lets social media users quiet quit the algorithm

Users in the European Union now have the option to decline personalized content feeds on mainstream social networks, thanks to the bloc's Digital Services Act (DSA), with platforms like Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and Snapchat offering non-personalized chronological news feeds in compliance with the law.

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8/4/2023

Coming soon to TikTok in Europe: A ‘For You’ feed without the TikTok algorithm

The main topic is that TikTok is making changes to comply with the EU's Digital Services Act (DSA). Key points include: 1. TikTok users in the European Union will soon be able to switch off the platform's content-selection algorithm. 2. The DSA requires popular platforms to offer users the choice to see content recommendations that are not based on tracking and profiling. 3. TikTok is launching its first ads transparency library and expanding its research API in preparation for DSA compliance. 4. Other platforms like Instagram and YouTube will also have to offer users the same choice under the DSA. 5. TikTok's algorithmic recommendations have been credited for its success, but the EU legislation now requires users to have the option to deny personalization. 6. TikTok will also make changes to search results and content sorting for users who deny personalization. 7. TikTok is implementing additional changes, such as banning personalized ads for users aged 13-17 and providing an additional content reporting option. 8. TikTok will provide more transparency around its moderation decisions and inform users about content that violates its policies or local laws. 9. These changes will apply in the European Union and may also apply in the UK.

8/24/2023

Big Tech braces for EU Digital Services Act regulations

The European Union's Digital Services Act (DSA) imposes new rules on tech giants like Facebook, Apple, and Google, including content moderation, user privacy, and transparency, with potential fines of up to 6% of their global turnover for non-compliance.

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