PARIS: The European Union on Monday (Dec 18) stated it might launch an investigation of social media firm X, previously generally known as Twitter, over a suspected breach of obligations in its first such probe underneath the Digital Providers Act (DSA).
The DSA, which entered into pressure in November final yr, requires very giant on-line platforms and search engines like google and yahoo to do extra to deal with unlawful content material and dangers to public safety, and to guard their providers towards manipulative methods.
The proceedings will concentrate on countering the dissemination of unlawful content material within the EU, and the effectiveness of measures taken to fight info manipulation, notably of the “neighborhood notes” system, the Fee stated.
It would additionally concentrate on the measures taken by X to extend the transparency of its platform and a suspected misleading design of the consumer interface akin to checkmarks linked to subscription merchandise, the so-called Blue checks.
The Fee stated it would now perform an in-depth investigation as a matter of precedence and proceed to collect proof by sending extra requests for info, conducting interviews and inspections.
X, owned by Elon Musk, is a part of a bunch of enormous tech corporations going through elevated scrutiny underneath the DSA.
Following Hamas’ assaults on Israel on Oct 7, EU trade chief Thierry Breton despatched letters to X, Meta, TikTok and Alphabet reminding them of their obligations underneath the DSA to deal with dangerous and unlawful content material.
The platforms responded promptly to Breton, highlighting steps they’ve taken to cease disinformation on their platforms however Musk challenged Breton over the disinformation cost.
Solely X obtained a proper request for info underneath the DSA and has responded to the request.
The Fee stated a preliminary investigation performed thus far included an evaluation of a report submitted by X in September, X’s transparency report revealed in November, and X’s replies to a proper request for details about unlawful content material in connection to Hamas’ assaults towards Israel.
X didn’t instantly reply to Reuters requests for remark.
The DSA imposes new guidelines on content material moderation, consumer privateness and transparency. Any agency present in breach faces a advantageous price as much as 6 per cent of its international turnover.