EU initiates inquiry against X for suspected dissemination of false information

The European Union (EU) has launched an investigation into Elon Musk's social media platform, referred to as X (previously known as Twitter), over concerns of the spread of terrorist content, violent material, hate speech, and disinformation following Hamas' attack on Israel. This investigation marks the first under the EU's new tech regulations and will also examine how the platform handles complaints. X has stated that it has already removed numerous Hamas-affiliated accounts from its platform. Additionally, the EU has warned TikTok and Meta (formerly Facebook) for their insufficient efforts in combatting disinformation related to the conflict. Social media platforms have witnessed a surge in misinformation during the Israel-Hamas conflict, including manipulated images and mislabeled videos. The EU's Industry Chief, Thierry Breton, confirmed that the bloc had sent a formal request for information to X in order to determine its compliance with the Digital Services Act (DSA). The DSA is a recent law aimed at safeguarding users of major tech platforms. CEO of X, Linda Yaccarino, announced the removal of hundreds of Hamas-affiliated accounts and the labeling or removal of tens of thousands of pieces of content since the attack. Meanwhile, in Gaza, Hamas's attack resulted in at least 150 hostages taken and the deaths of 1,300 individuals. Hamas is designated as a terrorist organization by the EU. Furthermore, over 1,500 casualties have occurred in Gaza following Israel's retaliatory air strikes. The UN's World Food Programme has described the situation in Gaza as "dire," with limited access to food and water due to an Israeli blockade. Israel has stated that the blockade will only be lifted once their hostages are released. Breton's letter to Musk emphasized the failure to remove "violent and terrorist content" from X despite prior warnings. While he did not provide specific examples of disinformation, he mentioned the widespread circulation of fake and manipulated images and facts on the platform. Musk responded by stating that X promotes transparency, inviting Breton to specify the alleged violations. The DSA was enacted into law in November 2022, granting companies time to ensure compliance. On April 25th, the commission identified the very large online platforms, including X, with over 45 million EU users that would face the strictest regulations. These regulations went into effect four months later in August. The new rules necessitate that larger companies assess potential risks, report their findings, and implement measures to address them. Non-compliance with the DSA can result in EU fines up to 6% of a company's global turnover or potential service suspension. X has until October 18 to provide information regarding its crisis response protocol, and until October 31 to address other concerns. Musk dissolved Twitter's Trust and Safety Council shortly after acquiring the company in 2022. This volunteer council, established in 2016, consisted of approximately 100 independent groups who advised on issues such as self-harm, child abuse, and hate speech. Meanwhile, Meta assured the BBC that they are tirelessly working to ensure platform safety and have set up a specialized operations center staffed with experts to monitor the situation.