The European Commission (EC) is intensifying its scrutiny over content moderation practices on X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter and owned by Elon Musk. According to a latest report by Bloomberg, the probe may compel X to implement notable changes in compliance with EU regulations in the forthcoming months.
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Since 2023, in the wake of the enforcement of the Digital Services Act (DSA), the EC has initiated its first formal investigation focusing on the platform’s adherence to the act’s stipulations. This act mandates stringent content moderation and transparency, aiming to safeguard user safety, curtail misinformation, deter illicit activity, and promote a “fair and open online platform environment” as outlined in the DSA policy.
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The EC tech commissioner Henna Virkkunen and justice chief Michael McGrath, in correspondence with European lawmakers, expressed their intention to conclude the investigation “as early as legally possible” as viewed by Bloomberg. The investigation encompasses an array of concerns including risk management, content moderation, advertising transparency, and access to data for researchers as highlighted during its earlier announcement.
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A significant driving factor behind the probe is the platform’s handling of “illegal content,” notably in connection with terrorist attacks, and ensuring compliance with the DSA’s requirements for eliminating such materials. Moreover, the effectiveness of X’s Community Notes feature and other policies intended to protect civic discourse and maintain electoral process integrity are under evaluation.
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Elon Musk’s increasing engagement with right-wing political figures and ideologies has also raised alarms within the EU. His activity on X, such as supporting Donald Trump and discussing sensationalist themes, like “grooming gangs” in the UK, has led some experts like former Twitter executive Bruce Daisley to suggest that Musk is an example of a tech leader becoming radicalized by his own platform. Reports by the Financial Times indicate that Musk’s right-wing leaning posts may be shaped by the platform’s algorithm, further complicating the discourse surrounding content moderation and bias on X.