EU is pressuring Meta due to fears of Russian interference in elections

Action against Facebook owner comes amid deep concerns about how it is dealing with fake news

• EU to investigate Meta over misinformation before June polls

Fears that Vladimir Putin is trying to fill the European parliament with more pro-Russia MEPs were behind the EU’s blunt message to the Silicon Valley owner of Facebook on Tuesday.

It gave Meta just five days to explain how it will root out fake news, fake websites and stops adverts funded by the Kremlin or face severe measures.