Following a warning from Commissioner Thierry Breton earlier this week, the European Union (EU) has now formally launched an investigation into X/Twitter over potential illegal content and disinformation about the ongoing Israel-Hamas war on the platform. The Union is investigating the company’s compliance with the Digital Services Act (DSA) and seeking details about its measures to curb disinformation.
The EU investigating X about the Israel-Hamas war content
A few days back, Breton sent an urgent letter to X owner Elon Musk stating that the EU has indications that the platform “is being used to disseminate illegal content and disinformation” about the war. The Commissioner added that the Union has received reports from “qualified sources” about potentially illegal content circulating on X despite flags from authorities. He urged Musk to act fast and place effective measures to prevent this.
Considering the urgency of the situation, Breton asked Musk to respond within 24 hours. He later confirmed that X had provided the Union with the necessary information. The Commissioner said the DSA enforcement team will analyze the company’s reply and decide on the next steps. It appears the social network giant failed to satisfy the European lawmakers with its measures, warranting a formal investigation.
The EU says it is investigating X’s policies and practices “regarding notices on illegal content, complaint handling, risk assessment, and measures to mitigate the risks identified.” It wants information about the company’s crisis response protocol by Wednesday, October 18. The firm has until October 31 to provide the Union with necessary information about everything else. The EU will decide its next steps after X shares the details.
According to the Financial Times, this is the first EU investigation at X under the new DSA. “Following its designation as Very Large Online Platform, X is required to comply with the full set of provisions introduced by the DSA since late August 2023,” the Union said in a press release. Tech giants like Meta, Google, and Amazon also fall under the “Very Large Online Platform” designation.
The new DSA can hold platforms liable for illegal content
Brenton has also sent similar “urgent” letters to Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg and TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew asking for information about their measures to curb disinformation about the war in the Middle East. Time will tell whether the EU opens investigations into these platforms as well. Under the new DSA regulations, it can hold online social platforms liable for illegal content. Depending on the severity of the matter, it could impose fines of up to six percent of a company’s global revenue.
2023-10-13 15:04:55