Did you know EU Regulators Intensify Scrutiny of X's Algorithms in Ongoing Digital Services Act Investigation

 

European regulators have ramped up their inquiry into X, demanding detailed information about the company's content recommendation processes. The European Commission is particularly focused on any updates made to its algorithms and has given the company until February 15 to submit all required documentation as part of the ongoing Digital Services Act (DSA) probe.

Regulators are also requesting access to specific tools, including APIs provided by X, to independently examine how the platform moderates content and tracks trends in account activity. Alongside this, the Commission has issued an order requiring X to preserve internal documents regarding planned algorithm changes until the end of 2025, or the conclusion of the investigation, whichever comes first.

Henna Virkkunen, a senior European official overseeing digital policy, stated that the investigation is a key step toward ensuring compliance with EU laws designed to protect online safety and fairness. Virkkunen emphasized the importance of ensuring that platforms adhere to rules fostering a safe and democratic online space.

The investigation, launched in December 2023, seeks to determine whether X has violated the DSA, which imposes strict rules on large digital platforms operating in the EU. Companies found in breach of the regulations could face significant fines, potentially up to 6% of their annual global revenue. The inquiry also examines whether X has fallen short in areas such as transparency, handling illegal content, or avoiding misleading platform designs.

Recent developments have heightened scrutiny of X after Elon Musk, the company’s owner, voiced public support for several political movements, including the UK's Reform Party and Germany's far-right Alternative for Germany. Some European lawmakers have accused Musk of improperly influencing political discourse, though he has refuted these claims, arguing that his comments are an exercise of free speech.

Part of the Commission’s investigation includes evaluating whether X’s algorithms unfairly suppress certain opinions or amplify others disproportionately. Despite the scrutiny, officials have clarified that Musk retains his right to express personal views, provided they do not interfere with broader platform obligations.