A European regulator has formally requested information from X (formerly Twitter) regarding the spread of illegal content and disinformation on its platform during the Israel-Hamas conflict. Thierry Breton, the European Commissioner for the Internal Market, stated that the European Commission is investigating whether X is complying with the recently enacted Digital Services Act (DSA). The DSA, which came into effect in late August, requires platforms with over 45 million monthly active users in the EU to scan for and remove illegal content. Failure to comply could result in fines totaling 6% of a company’s annual revenue.
Breton expressed concern about disinformation and “violent and terrorist” content on X and urged Elon Musk, the owner of X, to respond within 24 hours. The EC is focusing on X’s compliance with the DSA, examining its policies and practices related to illegal content, complaint handling, risk assessment, and measures to mitigate risks.
X is required to provide information on its “crisis response protocol” to the EC by October 18 and additional related data by October 31. The EC will then assess the next steps in the investigation. X CEO Linda Yaccarino responded to Breton’s warning letter, stating that the company has redistributed resources and refocused internal teams to address the situation, removing or labeling tens of thousands of pieces of content since the terrorist attack on Israel by Hamas.
X has stated that it continues to respond promptly to law enforcement requests worldwide, including from EU member states, and, as of the time of receiving the letter, had not received any notices from Europol related to illegal content on the platform.
