EU opens formal DSA investigation into X in wake of Israel-Hamas conflict

X, the platform previously generally known as Twitter, could have damaged the European Union’s powerful new Digital Service Act guidelines, regulators stated as they introduced the opening of a proper investigation right this moment. A key concern of the investigation is “the dissemination of unlawful content material within the context of Hamas’ terrorist assaults in opposition to Israel,” the European Fee says.

In a press launch, the Fee stated it is going to have a look at X’s makes an attempt to counter the unfold of unlawful content material on its platform and can study X’s efforts to cease “info manipulation” by way of its Neighborhood Notes system and different insurance policies. It’s additionally trying into issues past content material moderation, together with “misleading design” referring to “the so-called Blue checks,” promoting transparency, and knowledge entry for researchers.

“The upper the danger massive platforms pose to our society, the extra particular the necessities of the Digital Providers Act are,” stated Margrethe Vestager, EU Government Vice-President. “We take any breach of our guidelines very critically. And the proof we presently have is sufficient to formally open a continuing in opposition to X.”

“At the moment’s opening of formal proceedings in opposition to X makes it clear that, with the DSA, the time of massive on-line platforms behaving like they’re ‘too large to care’ has come to an finish,” stated Thierry Breton, EU commissioner for Inner markets.