EU launches ‘illegal content’ probe into Elon Musk’s X related to Hamas’ attack in Israel
“We will now start an in-depth investigation of X’s compliance with the DSA obligations concerning countering the dissemination and amplification of illegal content and disinformation in the EU, transparency of the platforms and design of the user interface.”
SOS signs found on Gaza hideout of killed Israeli hostages
The European Commission said a preliminary information-gathering investigation it launched against X in October, which included looking at “the dissemination of illegal content in the context of Hamas’ terrorist attacks against Israel”, led to Monday’s probe.
On the basis of that information, “the Commission has decided to open formal infringement proceedings against X under the Digital Services Act”, it said.
The investigation will look into whether X, failed to do enough to curb the spread of illegal content and whether measures to combat “information manipulation,” especially through its Community Notes feature, was effective.
The EU will also examine whether X was transparent enough with researchers and will look into suspicions that its user interface, including for its blue check subscription service, has a “deceptive design.”
In the event of proven infringements, the DSA carries penalties that can include fines going up to six per cent of an online company’s global revenues.
For serious and repeated violations, the EU can ban a platform operating in the 27-nation bloc.
The commission said that, under the formal probe against X, it would now “continue to gather evidence, for example by sending additional requests for information, conducting interviews or inspections”.
It noted that the proceedings gave it powers to order X to undertake interim or remedial steps, pending the conclusion of the probe.
There is no deadline for the proceedings to wrap up.
“X remains committed to complying with the Digital Services Act, and is cooperating with the regulatory process,” the company said in a prepared statement.
“It is important that this process remains free of political influence and follows the law. X is focused on creating a safe and inclusive environment for all users on our platform, while protecting freedom of expression, and we will continue to work tirelessly towards this goal.”
Weeks after starting its initial information-gathering exercise against X, the commission also launched preliminary investigations along the same lines against TikTok, YouTube and Facebook owner Meta.
Those investigations also looked at how the platforms handled disinformation and illegal content related to the Hamas attack.
Israel ups Gaza strikes despite truce pressure, calls for securing hostages
The Hamas attack on October 7 killed around 1,140 people in Israel, most of them civilians, and took an estimated 240 people hostage, according to updated Israeli figures.
Israel retaliated with an intense bombardment of the Gaza Strip, which is controlled by Hamas.
More than 18,800 Palestinians – around 70 per cent of them women, young children and adolescents – have been killed in the Gaza Strip in Israeli bombardments since October 7, according to the Hamas government’s health ministry, and much of the besieged territory has been reduced to rubble.
Additional reporting by Associated Press