AI Regulation Push by EU, "Facebook Must Comply with Our Standards"

Zuckerberg's EU Visit Draws Sharp Warning from Commissioner
"Stricter Regulations May Be Applied"
US IT Companies Face Challenges Defending Against EU AI Regulation Push

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy New York=Correspondent Baek Jong-min] Mark Zuckerberg, CEO of Facebook, visited the European Union (EU) Executive Commission, the EU's executive branch that is pushing for artificial intelligence (AI) regulation, but failed to achieve any results. The EU is expected to push forward with AI regulations regardless of concerns from American companies.

According to the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) and others on the 17th (local time), EU officials showed sharp reactions after meeting with CEO Zuckerberg. Thierry Breton, the Commissioner for Internal Market, emphasized immediately after the meeting with Zuckerberg, "It is not us who should adapt to Facebook, but Facebook that must adapt to our standards." He even warned that if major IT companies fail to properly restrict hate speech and misinformation, stricter regulations could be applied.

Zuckerberg's visit to the EU is due to the draft AI policy that the EU plans to announce on the 19th. The EU is considering strengthening regulations on AI, which would inevitably reduce the vested interests of American companies leading in the AI field. Accordingly, in addition to Zuckerberg, major American IT company leaders who have heavily invested in AI, such as Sundar Pichai, CEO of Alphabet, Brad Smith, President of Microsoft (MS), and John Giannandrea, Senior Vice President of AI at Apple, have recently visited Brussels to persuade the EU.

Facebook also stated in documents submitted to the Executive Commission that the way to restrict undesirable speech should not be to hold platforms responsible for the speech itself, but rather to ensure that platforms operate appropriate systems. They added that punishing the posting of illegal speech is not suitable for the internet landscape.

After meeting with Commissioner Breton, CEO Zuckerberg told reporters that the discussion went well. However, Commissioner Breton gave a contrasting response. Regarding Zuckerberg's earlier media contribution where he argued that "companies should not bear the responsibility of making decisions that balance conflicting social values," Breton warned, "By the end of this year, we will decide whether to adopt strict regulations for digital services to regulate online platforms and impose responsibilities."

On the same day, Facebook also published a white paper outlining its efforts related to online platform regulation. In the white paper, Facebook argued that the new regulations should hold internet companies responsible for establishing specific procedures and that online platforms should achieve certain performance targets in handling content that violates regulations. This is also interpreted as a move to counter the EU's new regulations.

Commissioner Breton criticized the white paper as well, saying, "Facebook omitted any mention of its monopolistic position and did not explain its responsibilities."

V?ra Jourov?, Vice President of the EU Commission, also stated after meeting with CEO Zuckerberg, "Facebook cannot shirk all responsibility," adding, "Whether it becomes a force for good or bad is up to Facebook itself to decide."