Google Declines EU Fact-Checking Requirements

Google has formally communicated to the European Union that it will not implement fact-checking features in its search results or YouTube videos, citing them as inappropriate and ineffective for their platforms. This decision defies the EU's updated Code of Practice on Disinformation, which mandates fact-checking integration alongside search results and YouTube content to combat misinformation. Kent Walker, Google's President of Global Affairs, emphasized the effectiveness of Google's existing content moderation strategies, such as SynthID watermarking and AI disclosures, particularly during recent global elections. Despite the EU's push to make the Code a binding regulation under the Digital Services Act, Google has decided to withdraw from the voluntary agreement before it becomes mandatory. This stance mirrors similar actions by other tech companies like Meta, which also moved away from traditional fact-checking systems. Google's decision highlights ongoing tensions between major tech firms and European regulatory efforts to address online disinformation.