All these leading social media companies have decided to take a tougher line against disinformation. The EU Code of Practice which could levy heavy fines on them is the trigger to do so.

Many organisations have become signatories in support of the updated Code of Practice on disformation. These signatories agree to do more to tackle deep fakes, fake accounts and political advertising. Non-compliance could attract hefty fine which can be as much as 6 per cent of the company’s global turnover.

The Code proves that Europe has learned its lessons and is not naive anymore. If the rules are flouted consistently, they can stop the access to their space of information.

There are some reservations about the new Code. There are no concrete commitments. They are in the form of a blanket statement to follow the law.