Danish Minister Condemns Meta's Lobbying Amid Child Safety Debate

In a strong rebuke of Meta's recent advertising initiatives, Denmark's Digital Affairs Minister Caroline Stage Olsen expressed her outrage during an interview with POLITICO. The minister's comments come as the European Union intensifies discussions on regulations aimed at safeguarding children's online experiences. Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, has been lobbying for EU-wide regulations that would shift the responsibility of age verification from social media platforms to app stores and operating systems. This campaign is viewed by Olsen as an evasion of responsibility, especially as she prepares to lead negotiations on potential new regulations to protect minors online.

Olsen's criticism centers on an advertising campaign launched by Instagram, which promotes the idea of having age checks implemented at the app store level. In her statement, Olsen said, "I must be honest here, I was furious when I saw that advertisement. It’s ridiculous that they make an advertisement instead of just doing it [implementing age restrictions]." She further emphasized that rather than spending resources on advertising, Meta should focus on creating effective technical solutions for age verification.

The campaign features advertisements across various media outlets, including social media, television, and public transport in key EU capitals such as Brussels and Paris. Olsen highlighted the urgency of action, stating, "Show it, don’t tell it, please. I’m so sick of empty words. We need action here... They have so much money that they earn on harvesting data from, of course, grown-ups, but also from children. They should spend the money on protecting our children, instead of making advertisements."

Denmark is set to assume the presidency of the Council of the EU and has prioritized the protection of children online as a critical issue during its six-month term. While there is a growing consensus among EU member states regarding the need for regulations, the tech industry remains divided on the best approach. Meta argues that requiring age verification at the operating system or app store level would ensure comprehensive coverage across all social media platforms. However, this perspective is met with skepticism from rival tech giants like Apple and Google.

Google, in a recent blog post, criticized Meta's lobbying efforts, asserting that age verification at the app store level overlooks significant risks posed by content found within applications themselves. "The real risks and content are within the app, not the app store," the company stated, further reinforcing the notion that accountability should rest with individual platforms.

As the European Commission finalizes its draft guidelines for child protection online, the discussion surrounding the responsibilities of tech companies is more pertinent than ever. Experts are increasingly calling for stringent measures to ensure that children are safeguarded from harmful online content. According to Dr. Emily Carter, a child psychology expert from the University of Copenhagen, "It is imperative that we have robust mechanisms in place to protect our youth from the potential dangers of social media. The responsibility lies not just with the parents but also with tech companies that profit from these platforms."

The ongoing debate reflects a broader global conversation about the balance between technological innovation and child safety in the digital age. As countries like Denmark push for more stringent regulations, the implications for tech companies, policymakers, and society as a whole continue to evolve. The future of social media usage among minors hangs in the balance as stakeholders grapple with the challenges of ensuring a safe online environment for children worldwide.