By Foo Yun Chee

BRUSSELS, (Reuters) – Europe’s draft rules requiring technology firms to take more action to combat illegal content online could be a gold standard worldwide for a safer internet world if strengthened up, Frances Haugen (NASDAQ:), whistleblower to Facebook told EU lawmakers Monday.

Haugen, a former Facebook employee who worked as a product manager on the company’s civic misinformation team, has accused the social media giant of repeatedly prioritising profit https://reut.rs/3C33JmE over clamping down on hate speech and misinformation.

After stops in London and Lisbon, her testimony before the European Parliament Committee comes at a moment when EU legislators are debating whether or not to strengthen the Digital Services Act (DSA), proposed by EU antitrust chief Margrethe vestager.

Haugen stated that the Digital Services Act, which is currently before Parliament, has the potential of being a global standard for digital services.

The law needs to be firm and strong to encourage other countries (including mine) to follow new rules to protect their democracies. We will lose this unique opportunity to align technology’s future with democracy,” she warned EU legislators.

Haugen suggested that the DSA be extended to online content that is in violation of platform terms and conditions. Platforms should also take full responsibility for other risks, such as disinformation concerning mental health and election manipulation.

Haugen stated that news media content shouldn’t be exempted from the rules, as disinformation campaigns can still exploit digital platforms and game the system.

Facebook has posted in a blog before the EU hearing to deny Haugen’s assertions that its profits are more important than user safety.

Monika Bickert wrote on the blog, “Contrary recent claims about the company, we have always had the commercial incentive [to remove harmful content] from our platform.”

According to her, Facebook will spend over $5 billion on security and safety this year.

Thierry Breton (EU industry chief) met Haugen earlier Monday and criticised increased lobbying from technology companies to overturn the draft rules. He urged lawmakers to intensify their debates on the DSA’s scope.

“Speed is everything.” He stated after the meeting that we need to adopt the DSA/DMA packages in the first six months of 2022.

DMA or Digital Markets Act is an EU landmark bill that sets out guidelines for international technology companies.