GlobalWide News
The Guardian: The European Commission has initiated formal infringement proceedings against the social media platform X, previously known as Twitter, for suspected breaches of the EU’s Digital Services Act (DSA). These proceedings, announced by EU Commissioner Thierry Breton, focus on allegations of disseminating illegal content and disinformation, a lack of transparency, and deceptive design of user interface, particularly concerning the use of “blue check” marks for paid users. The investigation was spurred by concerns over the platform’s role in spreading fake news and hate speech, highlighted by recent events such as the Hamas attack on Israel and Israel’s subsequent actions in Gaza.
X, under Elon Musk’s ownership, had previously been requested to demonstrate compliance with the DSA, which aims to eradicate hate speech, racism, and fake news from online platforms in the EU. Non-compliance could result in a fine of up to 6% of global income or an operational ban across the EU. Despite Musk’s earlier assurances of adherence to EU laws, the platform has been criticized for the alleged presence of fake news and hate speech, particularly in relation to the Israel-Palestine conflict.
As the EU prepares for next year’s parliamentary elections, it plans to issue new guidelines for all social platforms. The timeline for the investigation is open-ended, with the possibility of interim measures during the investigation. The focus will be on the effectiveness of X’s notice and action mechanism for illegal content and its “community notes” feature for public commentary on posts’ veracity or legality. This action follows the earlier commitment of other tech companies, like Facebook, TikTok, Google, and Microsoft, to the EU’s code of conduct in preparation for the DSA, from which Twitter had withdrawn.
The entire article can be read at the link https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2023/dec/18/x-to-be-investigated-for-allegedly-breaking-eu-laws-on-hate-speech-and-fake-news
