The EU Commission has initiated formal proceedings against the now-former Twitter platform, now known as X, for disseminating false information. This action was taken under the Digital Services Act (DSA) due to the platform's "illegal content" distribution, among other issues. Brussels was displeased with X's non-compliance in answering its request for information.
The Commission is also examining the influence of X's blue checkmarks, a feature that previously signified the authenticity of institutional or celebrity profiles. Elon Musk, the new owner, introduced a subscription model allowing users to buy the blue tick. The Commission suspects that this could lead to deceptive usage of these verifications.
Moreover, the Commission has raised concerns about X's failure to provide sufficient data on advertisements on the platform, which could contribute to the dissemination of false information.
Brussels had previously warned X in October about spreading false information related to the conflict between Israel and Hamas. X consistently ranked highest in a study by the EU Commission for having the most misinformation, with critics blaming Elon Musk for reducing content moderation and action against hate speech and misinformation since his takeover of Twitter last year.
The European Commission is vigilant in ensuring digital services comply with its rules and values of fairness and transparency. The investigation into X is part of broader efforts to combat disinformation and uphold electoral integrity.
Insight:
The EU Commission is closely examining X's content moderation practices, particularly against the backdrop of controversial livestreams and allegations of boosting far-right political messaging. The Commission is also scrutinizing the platform's compliance with advertising transparency rules and its use of verification systems. If found guilty of violating the DSA, X could face hefty fines.
[1] European Commission, "Commission initiates formal investigation against Twitter under the Digital Services Act – Press release" (June 13, 2023). [2] European Commission, "Regulatory framework for online political advertising" (accessed June 13, 2023).
