The European Commission has launched a formal investigation into social media company X over potential violations of the Digital Services Act (DSA), marking the EU’s first probe under the law. Commissioner Thierry Breton announced the investigation on the platform formerly known as Twitter, stating that the Commission will examine X’s systems and policies related to suspected infringements. The investigation will specifically look into X’s efforts to combat the spread of illegal content, information manipulation, user interface design, and access to researchers. X has expressed its commitment to complying with the DSA and is cooperating with the regulatory process, emphasizing its dedication to creating a safe and inclusive platform while protecting freedom of expression.
The preliminary investigation began in October due to concerns about the platforms’ handling of harmful and illegal content during Israel’s war with Hamas. The investigation will focus on countering the dissemination of illegal content in the EU and evaluating the effectiveness of X’s measures to combat information manipulation, including the “community notes” system. The commission has stated that it will conduct an in-depth investigation by gathering additional information, conducting interviews, and performing inspections. The DSA imposes new rules on content moderation, user privacy, and transparency, with potential fines of up to 6 percent of a company’s global turnover for non-compliance.