Several European commissioners issued the joint statement, referring to the European Parliament elections scheduled for next week. Google and Twitter were reprimanded for not setting up systems to disclose issue-based ads. Facebook was criticized for not specifying whether a fake Russian network it took down for targeting Ukraine was also going after other European countries. (Reuters)

Talking point: In October 2018, the companies took a voluntary pledge to combat the spread of fake news in an effort to stave off legislation. A joint statement shows that the commission isn’t confident in the tech giants’ ability to regulate themselves, and puts the possibility of heavier rules on the table. Facebook, for its part, has already told U.S. regulators it is open to more federal oversight, a move meant to end a federal probe into the company on its privacy practices. In the meantime, the firms continue to sign pledges. Google, Facebook and Twitter signed a global pledge to combat hate speech on May 15, joined by French President Emmanuel Macron and New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern.