EU launches legal action against X for failing to combat disinformation
X is part of a group of large tech companies facing increased scrutiny under sweeping rules introduced under the Digital Services Act
18 December 2023 - 13:58
byTassilo Hummel and Supantha Mukherjee
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The EU has launched formal infringement proceedings against social media company X, formerly known as Twitter, on suspicion of a breach of obligations in its first investigation under the Digital Services Act. Picture: DADO RUVIC/REUTERS
Paris/Stockholm — The EU on Monday launched formal infringement proceedings against social media company X, formerly known as Twitter, on suspicion of a breach of obligations in its first investigation under the Digital Services Act (DSA).
The new regulation, which came into force in November last year, requires very large online platforms and search engines to do more to tackle illegal content and risks to public security, and to protect their services against manipulative techniques.
The proceedings will focus on countering the dissemination of illegal content in the EU, the effectiveness of measures taken to combat information manipulation, notably of the “community notes” system and measures taken by X to increase the transparency of its platform, the commission said.
The commission said it will now carry out an in-depth investigation as a matter of priority.
X, owned by Elon Musk, is part of a group of large tech companies facing increased scrutiny under sweeping rules introduced under the DSA.
EU commissioner Thierry Breton had in October reprimanded X, TikTok and Meta for not doing enough to tackle the spread of disinformation after Hamas’ attack on Israel.
Support our award-winning journalism. The Premium package (digital only) is R30 for the first month and thereafter you pay R129 p/m now ad-free for all subscribers.
EU launches legal action against X for failing to combat disinformation
X is part of a group of large tech companies facing increased scrutiny under sweeping rules introduced under the Digital Services Act
Paris/Stockholm — The EU on Monday launched formal infringement proceedings against social media company X, formerly known as Twitter, on suspicion of a breach of obligations in its first investigation under the Digital Services Act (DSA).
The new regulation, which came into force in November last year, requires very large online platforms and search engines to do more to tackle illegal content and risks to public security, and to protect their services against manipulative techniques.
The proceedings will focus on countering the dissemination of illegal content in the EU, the effectiveness of measures taken to combat information manipulation, notably of the “community notes” system and measures taken by X to increase the transparency of its platform, the commission said.
The commission said it will now carry out an in-depth investigation as a matter of priority.
X, owned by Elon Musk, is part of a group of large tech companies facing increased scrutiny under sweeping rules introduced under the DSA.
EU commissioner Thierry Breton had in October reprimanded X, TikTok and Meta for not doing enough to tackle the spread of disinformation after Hamas’ attack on Israel.
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