The European Commission has intensified its scrutiny of X (formerly Twitter) by demanding full disclosure of recent modifications to the platform’s recommendation algorithms, particularly focusing on their potential impact on European political discourse.
The Commission’s expanded investigation, announced Friday, requires X to surrender internal documentation about its recommendation algorithms and preserve records of any future algorithmic changes. The probe also seeks detailed information about the platform’s content moderation and amplification practices.
This regulatory action comes amid growing concerns in Germany, where politicians have accused X’s algorithm of disproportionately promoting far-right content ahead of the country’s February 23 elections.
German Government Agencies Exit X Platform Following Musk’s AfD Endorsement
The controversy has intensified following platform owner Elon Musk’s public support for Alternative for Germany (AfD), a party whose certain factions have been classified as right-wing extremists by German intelligence services. Musk claimed the party would prevent Germany’s “economic and cultural collapse.”
The situation has prompted strong reactions from German leadership, with Chancellor Olaf Scholz sharply criticizing Musk’s endorsement of AfD as “completely unacceptable.” The party currently holds the second position in polls with approximately 20 percent support, surpassing Scholz’s Social Democrats while trailing the Christian Democratic Union.
In response to platform concerns, German government departments have begun distancing themselves from X. Both the defense and foreign ministries announced the suspension of their activities on the platform, with the defense ministry citing growing dissatisfaction with the service.
The Commission’s investigation gained additional momentum following a controversial interview between Musk and AfD co-leader Alice Weidel, where she was allowed to freely promote her party’s agenda and make unsubstantiated claims about historical figures.
EU Launches Probe into X’s Algorithms
While a Commission spokesperson acknowledged the probe would help monitor systems around such events, they emphasized its independence from “political considerations or specific events.”
Digital Commissioner Henna Virkkunen underscored the EU’s commitment to ensuring all platforms operating within its jurisdiction comply with regulations designed to maintain a “fair, safe, and democratic online environment for all European citizens.”
The investigation follows recent political pressure, including appeals from European Parliament member Damian Boeselager, who requested an examination of X’s algorithmic practices for compliance with EU transparency requirements. Boeselager expressed particular concern about allegations that Musk was artificially boosting his own content on the platform.
The expanded probe represents a significant escalation in the EU’s oversight of social media platforms and their potential influence on democratic processes. It highlights growing tensions between tech platforms’ algorithmic practices and European regulatory frameworks designed to protect democratic integrity and fair information dissemination.
X has not provided immediate comment on the investigation, leaving questions about its compliance and potential responses to the Commission’s demands unanswered. The outcome of this investigation could have far-reaching implications for how social media platforms operate within the European Union and set precedents for future regulatory actions in the digital space.
