EU Regulators Challenge Meta's Decision to Shut Down CrowdTangle

Friday, 16 August 2024, 17:56

Meta's shutdown of CrowdTangle is under scrutiny from EU regulators. The EU Commission is concerned about the implications for research ahead of the 2024 elections. This decision has raised alarms about data accessibility and compliance with the Digital Services Act.
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EU Regulators Challenge Meta's Decision to Shut Down CrowdTangle

Meta's Controversial Shutdown of CrowdTangle

In a significant move, Meta has decided to shut down CrowdTangle, an analytics tool deemed invaluable by the research community. As this decision unfolds, EU regulators are questioning the validity of such actions, especially as the 2024 elections approach.

EU Commission's Concerns

The EU Commission has voiced its worries, reiterating that this shutdown could hamper research efforts crucial for democracy. They have pressed Meta for detailed insights regarding their compliance with the Digital Services Act (DSA).

Responsibilities Under DSA

Specifically, the Commission's inquiry revolves around Meta's obligations to ensure researchers have access to publicly available data on Facebook and Instagram, which is vital for election monitoring.

Implications for Researchers

With CrowdTangle no longer operational, researchers now lack key functionalities, which raises the stakes even higher for Meta's handling of data. The EU is closely monitoring the situation.


This article was prepared using information from open sources in accordance with the principles of Ethical Policy. The editorial team is not responsible for absolute accuracy, as it relies on data from the sources referenced.

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