The European Commission finally begins an investigation into hate speech and fake news spreading on X (formerly Twitter), triggered by the war between Israel and Hamas
The European Commission (EC) has officially ruled that the social media platform X (formerly Twitter) is overflowing with false information and illegal content, potentially violating the Digital Services Act (DSA). We have started an investigation process.
Commission opens formal proceedings against X under the DSA
X to be investigated for allegedly breaking EU laws on hate speech and fake news | X | The Guardian
https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2023/dec/18/x-to-be-investigated-for-allegedly-breaking-eu-laws-on-hate-speech-and-fake-news
The DSA comes into effect in August 2023, and social platforms, including X, must comply with the law and act to eliminate racist, fake news and illegal content.
In early 2023, tech companies such as Facebook, TikTok, Google, and Microsoft signed the EU code of conduct in preparation for DSA enforcement, but X withdrew from the code. Nevertheless, EU and EC members have called on X to make efforts to scrutinize its content, as it must comply with the DSA in order to deploy services in the EU.
X has promoted its efforts by establishing its own fact-checking system, ``Community Notes,'' and by deleting content from terrorist and violent organizations that violates X's terms and conditions in real time. However, the EC immediately issued an order to begin an investigation. Thierry Breton, Commissioner for EC Markets and Services, cited 'suspected breaches of obligations to combat illegal content and disinformation, suspected breaches of transparency obligations, and suspected deceptive design of the user interface' as reasons for launching the investigation. says.
Today we open formal infringement proceedings against @X :
— Thierry Breton (@ThierryBreton) December 18, 2023
⚠️ Suspected breach of obligations to counter #IllegalContent and #Disinformation
⚠️ Suspected breach of #Transparency obligations
⚠️ Suspected #DeceptiveDesign of user interface #DSA pic.twitter.com/NxKIif603k
The investigation into 'deceptive design' concerns the use of 'blue check marks'. At the time of article creation, only those who paid can use it, but previously only users who were authenticated in public, such as ministers and celebrities, were given a checkmark, so it was once used by information senders. It has been criticized for some time that the mark, which was considered to ensure the legitimacy of the website, was distributed to general users, causing information confusion.
On October 10, 2023, the EU sent a formal letter to X after receiving indications that X was being used to spread illegal content and disinformation within the EU due to the war between Hamas and Israel. In response, X CEO Linda Yacarino sent a letter to Breton saying the company was actively working to address the needs.
However, it was deemed that such measures may not be effective, which led to the initiation of this investigation procedure. The EU also noted that there is no set timeline for the procedure and that investigations will take time, but that 'interim measures' can be applied before the investigation ends if necessary. If X is found to be in violation of the DSA, it could be fined 6% of its revenue or banned from operating across the EU.
Following the EU's announcement, X said: 'We remain committed to complying with the DSA and cooperating with the regulatory process. We are focused on this and will continue to work tirelessly towards this goal.'
X remains committed to complying with the Digital Services Act and is cooperating with the regulatory process. 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…
— Safety (@Safety) December 18, 2023
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