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The European Union is reportedly closing in on a decision regarding whether X’s efforts to combat illegal or harmful content comply with the bloc’s digital service rulebook. A probe into X’s risk management and content moderation is expected to conclude “as early as legally possible,” according to a letter sent to EU lawmakers, Bloomberg reports. This development comes just a day after Meta announced sweeping moderation changes on its own platforms inspired by X.

The letter from the EU’s justice chief Michael McGrath and tech policy leader Henna Virkkunen vows to “energetically” push the investigation forward. The probe was launched under the bloc’s Digital Services Act (DSA) in December 2023, with a focus on the dissemination of illegal content in the context of Hamas’ terrorist attacks against Israel, and how effective X’s Community Notes system is at tackling information manipulation.

The investigation yielded preliminary findings that found X to be in breach of DSA regarding advertising transparency, dark patterns, and its “blue check” user verification system. Platforms deemed to have breached the DSA risk fines of up to six percent of their global yearly revenue.

Background and Context

Since Elon Musk purchased X (previously known as Twitter) in 2022, he has transformed its verification system into a subscription service and cut back its trust and safety team to focus on community-driven moderation. The EU criticized X over rising levels of disinformation on the platform, something that Musk himself actively engaged in promoting. More recently, Musk landed himself a position on President-elect Donald Trump’s incoming administration, which has issued threats over perceived biases in moderation.

• Musk’s promotion of Germany’s far-right party leader on X sparked concerns among center-right German lawmakers.
• The EU probe was launched under the bloc’s Digital Services Act (DSA) in December 2023, with a focus on the dissemination of illegal content and how effective X’s Community Notes system is at tackling information manipulation.
• X has been found to be in breach of DSA regarding advertising transparency, dark patterns, and its “blue check” user verification system.

US tech giants are already heeding to Republicans’ complaints regarding online speech rules. Yesterday, Meta announced it was inspired by X to scrap its third-party fact-checkers in favor of implementing its own Community Notes program, alongside removing restrictions around topics like immigration and gender identity.

The EU’s Stance on Online Disinformation

The EU has been vocal about its concerns over online disinformation. In 2023, the bloc criticized X over rising levels of disinformation on the platform, something that Musk himself actively engaged in promoting. The EU’s Digital Services Act (DSA) aims to regulate online platforms and hold them accountable for spreading false information.

• The DSA requires online platforms to be more transparent about their moderation policies and practices.
• The law also introduces a new regime of fines and penalties for non-compliance, with potential fines reaching up to 6% of global turnover.

The EU’s stance on online disinformation is clear: it will not tolerate platforms that spread false information or fail to take adequate measures to prevent its dissemination. The investigation into X’s compliance with the DSA is a testament to this commitment, and the consequences for non-compliance will be severe.

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Global Implications

The implications of the EU’s stance on online disinformation are far-reaching. The bloc’s Digital Services Act (DSA) has set a precedent for other countries to follow, and it is likely that we will see more governments around the world adopting similar regulations.

• The DSA sets a new standard for online platforms to prioritize fact-checking and transparency over profit-driven interests.
• The law also creates a framework for cooperation between EU countries and international partners to address the spread of disinformation globally.

As the world becomes increasingly interconnected, it is essential that we have a unified approach to tackling online disinformation. The EU’s stance on this issue serves as a reminder that the digital age requires us to be more responsible and accountable in our online interactions.