The European Union (EU) has initiated an investigation into the social media platform X (formerly known as Twitter) over concerns of the spread of terrorist and violent content, hate speech, and disinformation following the recent attacks by Hamas on Israel. This investigation comes as the first under the EU’s new tech rules and will also examine the platform’s handling of user complaints.
The EU’s industry chief, Thierry Breton, confirmed that the bloc had sent X a “formal request for information” to determine if the platform was complying with the Digital Services Act (DSA), which aims to safeguard users of major tech platforms. The DSA came into effect last November, and larger firms are required to assess potential risks, report the assessment, and implement measures to address them.
Hamas-affiliated accounts have been removed by X, and tens of thousands of pieces of content have been either removed or labeled since the recent attack. X CEO Linda Yaccarino has stressed the platform’s commitment to transparency and compliance with the EU’s regulations. However, Mr. Breton expressed concerns about the persistence of “violent and terrorist content” on X despite prior warnings.
Other major social media platforms, including TikTok and Meta, have also received warnings from the EU for their alleged insufficient actions in combating disinformation. Misinformation, such as doctored images and mislabeled videos, has seen a concerning surge during the Israel-Hamas conflict.
The investigation is significant for both X and the EU as it tests the effectiveness of the newly implemented DSA regulations. The outcome of this investigation could have far-reaching implications for social media platforms and their approach to handling disinformation and violent content.
The situation in Gaza remains dire, with the UN’s World Food Programme reporting shortages of food and water due to the Israeli siege. The conflict between Israel and Hamas has taken a toll on both sides, resulting in casualties and loss of life. The ongoing violence further emphasizes the importance of tackling disinformation and hate speech that can potentially escalate tensions and incite further conflict.
Failure to comply with the DSA regulations could lead to significant penalties, including fines of up to 6% of a company’s global turnover or potential suspension of services. X has been given a deadline of 18th October to provide information on its crisis response protocol and until 31st October to address other concerns raised by the EU.
This investigation highlights the increasing responsibility of major tech platforms in monitoring and regulating the content shared on their platforms. It also underscores the need for effective collaboration between social media platforms and regulatory authorities to combat the spread of disinformation, hate speech, and violent content.
