The European Union (EU) has turned its discerning eye towards Elon Musk-owned X, the platform formerly known as Twitter. Concerns about the platform’s compliance with the Digital Services Act (DSA) have prompted the EU to launch a formal investigation.
As the Israel-Hamas conflict unfolded, the world witnessed not only the grim realities of war but also the power and perils of digital communication. In this era of instant information and rapid dissemination of content, social media platforms play a pivotal role in shaping public opinion and delivering news. One such platform, X, owned by tech luminary Elon Musk, has found itself under the European Union’s (EU) scrutiny. The EU, deeply concerned about the platform’s handling of content during the Israel-Hamas conflict, has initiated an investigation. This investigation, conducted under the umbrella of the Digital Services Act (DSA), holds the potential to set a significant precedent in the realm of content moderation and accountability for major online platforms.
The investigation
The investigation initiated by the European Union (EU) focuses on the content moderation practices and compliance of Elon Musk-owned X (formerly known as Twitter) with the Digital Services Act (DSA). The DSA is a set of regulations designed to govern the behavior and responsibilities of digital services and online platforms, particularly those considered “very large online platforms” (VLOPs). These regulations aim to ensure that these platforms effectively respond to reports of illegal content and adhere to specific governance obligations.
Key aspects of the investigation include:
- Content moderation: The EU is scrutinizing how X handles and moderates content on its platform. This includes examining X’s policies and practices for dealing with notices of illegal content. The DSA requires that companies take prompt and objective actions to remove such content.
- Complaint handling: The investigation also looks into X’s mechanisms for handling user complaints regarding content. It assesses whether X responds promptly and efficiently to user concerns about inappropriate or illegal material on the platform.
- Risk assessment: The EU is interested in how X identifies and mitigates systemic risks associated with its platform. This includes disinformation, gender-based violence, or any content that negatively affects fundamental rights.
- Crisis response protocol: The DSA includes a “crisis response” mechanism that enables the European Commission to take rapid measures on larger platforms in situations of serious threats, such as during a conflict. The investigation examines X’s activation and functioning of this crisis response protocol.
- Transparency: Another significant aspect of the investigation is transparency. It aims to ensure that X transparently communicates its terms and conditions to users and can demonstrate proper enforcement of these terms.
The investigation is a response to indications that X has been used to disseminate illegal content and disinformation related to the Israel-Hamas conflict. This includes false information, misleading videos, and content linked to terrorism. In recent times, X’s ability to address these content issues has been challenged, particularly after significant layoffs following Elon Musk’s takeover.
The outcome of this investigation could have significant implications for X, as it may lead to potential fines, penalties, and a clearer set of expectations regarding content moderation for social media platforms operating within the European Union. Additionally, it represents a move towards increased transparency and accountability for major online platforms in an era when the dissemination of information and content can have far-reaching consequences.
Featured image credit: Christian Lue/Unsplash
