European Union regulators have intensified their scrutiny of big tech companies, including Google, Facebook, and TikTok, by requesting information on how they are addressing the risks associated with generative artificial intelligence, such as the spread of deepfakes. The European Commission has sent questionnaires to eight platforms and search engines, including Microsoft's Bing, Instagram, Snapchat, YouTube, and X (formerly Twitter), to inquire about the measures they are taking to mitigate the risks of generative AI.

This move comes as part of the EU's efforts to enforce the Digital Services Act (DSA), a set of regulations aimed at cleaning up online platforms and ensuring user safety. The EU is leveraging its regulatory powers under the DSA and other existing regulations to govern AI until the implementation of the AI Act, the world's first comprehensive AI rules. The provisions related to generative AI in the AI Act will not come into effect until next year.

The commission is particularly concerned about the potential for generative AI to create and spread false information, manipulate services to mislead voters, and impact various aspects of society, including electoral processes, the spread of illegal content, gender-based violence, and the protection of minors. With EU-wide elections approaching in early June, European authorities are investigating tech platforms' readiness to combat AI-fueled misinformation and disinformation, including the spread of “high-impact” deepfakes.

Companies have been given deadlines to provide information on their election protections by April 5 and on other related topics by April 26. Failure to comply could result in further investigations by the commission. Additionally, Chinese e-commerce platform AliExpress is under DSA scrutiny for allegedly failing to protect consumers by allowing the sale of risky products, including fake medicine and inappropriate content.

In response, AliExpress stated that it is committed to complying with all rules and regulations in the markets where it operates and is working with relevant authorities to ensure compliance with the DSA. Separately, the commission has requested information from LinkedIn regarding its compliance with the DSA's prohibition on targeting ads based on sensitive personal data such as sexual orientation, race, and political opinions.