The European Commission (EC) has taken action against X due to concerns about disinformation related to recent violence in Israel. Under the Digital Services Act (DSA), which was enacted in July, large platforms like X are held accountable for disseminating disinformation, illegal content, and hate speech.
European Commissioner Thierry Breton sent a formal request for information to X owner Elon Musk, emphasizing the urgency of removing illegal content. In response to the recent spread of violent and terrorizing content on social media, U.S. leaders have also called for improved enforcement of terms of service by platforms like X, Meta, and YouTube.
Furthermore, the EC’s formal request focuses on the spread of disinformation and illegal content, particularly content related to terrorism, violence, and hate speech. The commission has outlined strict requirements for platforms with more than 45 million monthly users in the EU, which includes X, regarding the assessment and mitigation of risks associated with disseminating illegal content and disinformation.
This move follows reports that terrorist groups like Hamas have exploited social media to spread their content, prompting concerns over the role of these platforms in the dissemination of graphic acts of violence and terrorism.
The European Commission has demanded X to promptly respond to the request for information, emphasizing the need for a comprehensive and accurate response within 24 hours. The EC’s investigation into X’s compliance with the DSA will evaluate the platform’s policies and practices related to illegal content, complaint handling, and risk assessment and response. Fines may be imposed based on the responses provided by X. This action underscores the growing importance of addressing disinformation and its potential consequences in the digital age, with a particular focus on large online platforms.
