EU Nears Conclusion on X's Content Moderation Investigation

EU's Investigation into X (formerly Twitter) Compliance with Digital Services Rules

The European Union is nearing a decision regarding X’s attempts to combat illegal and harmful content in adherence to the bloc’s digital service rulebook. Recent communications from the EU highlight an ongoing investigation into the risk management and content moderation practices of X, aiming to conclude "as early as legally possible." This investigation was reported by Bloomberg and follows heightened scrutiny resulting from a complaint lodged by German lawmakers.

Background of the Investigation

EU lawmakers, particularly justice chief Michael McGrath and tech policy leader Henna Virkkunen, have committed to vigorously advancing the investigation, spurred by concerns over Elon Musk’s promotion of far-right political figures on the platform X. The scrutiny intensified following the tragic events associated with Hamas’ attacks on Israel, which raised alarm over the dissemination of illegal content across digital platforms.

Focus Areas of the Probe

• Community Notes System: The effectiveness of X's Community Notes system in combatting misinformation is under review.
• Compliance with Digital Services Act: Preliminary findings suggest X may already be in breach due to issues related to advertising transparency and its "blue check" verification system.
• Potential Penalties: Breaches of the DSA could result in fines reaching up to six percent of X’s global annual revenue.

X's Changes Under Elon Musk

Since acquiring X in 2022, Elon Musk has implemented significant modifications, including transforming the platform's verification process into a subscription-based model. Additionally, the reduction of the trust and safety team aimed to foster community-led moderation, a decision that has drawn criticism due to a spike in the spread of disinformation. Notably, Musk himself has been accused of promoting misleading information.

Collaborative Changes Across Platforms

In a related move, Meta recently announced substantial changes to its moderation strategies, inspired by X's approach. The tech giant is transitioning away from using third-party fact-checkers and is instead adopting its own Community Notes initiative. This shift extends to modifying restrictions around contentious topics such as immigration and gender identity, with changes initially targeted at the US market but likely to resonate globally.

Global Impact and Regulatory Scrutiny

The actions taken by both Meta and X have attracted considerable attention from EU regulators. As US tech companies respond to domestic pressures regarding online speech and content moderation, the potential impact on global operations remains a pressing concern. As these platforms navigate evolving regulatory landscapes, the EU continues to monitor their compliance closely.

Conclusion

The outcome of the EU's investigation into X's compliance under the DSA could lead to significant repercussions for the platform. As regulatory frameworks tighten surrounding digital content management and misinformation, it is vital for social media platforms to adapt and ensure adherence to legal standards.