The European Commission (EC) has intensified its investigation into the social media platform X (formerly Twitter), with the possibility of enforcing changes in the coming months, according to Bloomberg. This investigation, which began in 2023, marks the EC’s first significant inquiry under the Digital Services Act (DSA), a regulation that imposes strict requirements on large online platforms to promote user safety, combat misinformation, and reduce illegal content.
Focus of the Investigation
The EC’s investigation centers on several critical areas, including risk management, content moderation, and advertising transparency. The commission is particularly concerned with how X handles the spread of harmful or illegal content, especially following the Hamas attacks on Israel, which raised questions about the platform’s ability to detect and remove such material. Additionally, the probe is examining X’s Community Notes, a crowdsourced fact-checking tool, to assess its effectiveness in promoting healthy civic discourse and safeguarding democratic processes.
Musk’s Political Influence Sparks Debate
Since acquiring Twitter, Elon Musk’s increasing involvement in political matters has raised alarms among EU regulators. Musk has become outspoken in supporting right-wing politics, notably backing former U.S. President Donald Trump’s campaign and endorsing controversial views on issues like “grooming gangs” in the UK. Reports suggest that X’s algorithms may play a role in shaping Musk’s political opinions, with some critics arguing that Musk could be “radicalized by his own platform”.
Musk’s political engagement includes supporting Alice Weidel, a far-right leader in Germany. The EC plans to monitor an upcoming live-streamed interview between Musk and Weidel to determine if X’s algorithms are used to amplify the broadcast, potentially violating the DSA’s provisions on transparency and fairness.
Possible Consequences for X
The investigation is still ongoing, with no official deadline for its conclusion. If the EC determines that X has violated the DSA, the platform could face fines up to 6% of its global revenue or be required to make significant changes to its operations. However, X could avoid penalties by voluntarily implementing the necessary adjustments. In a statement, the platform reaffirmed its commitment to complying with the DSA, emphasizing the importance of a neutral and law-abiding regulatory process.
Yet, some EU officials are concerned that Musk’s management of X could be influencing political narratives and undermining democratic integrity, particularly in the lead-up to elections. French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot has urged the EC to act swiftly, warning that failure to enforce the DSA would “undermine the EU’s regulatory framework.”
The Role of Community Notes
In place of a larger moderation team, Musk has leaned heavily on X’s Community Notes system to combat misinformation. At CES 2025, X CEO Linda Yaccarino defended the system, claiming it was beneficial for global accountability. According to Yaccarino, nearly one million Community Noters are now active on the platform, and flagged posts have become “dramatically less shared” due to the tool’s effectiveness.
Despite these claims, data from Sensor Tower suggests that many major advertisers are still wary of the platform. 72 of the top 100 U.S. advertisers stopped spending on X after Musk’s takeover. Additionally, experts have raised concerns about the integrity of the Community Notes system, citing instances where politically motivated users have downvoted fact-checks that oppose their views, thus undermining the credibility of the platform’s moderation efforts.
