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EU Regulators Intensify Scrutiny on Elon Musk’s Social Media Platform X
The European Union is set to deliver a formal warning to Elon Musk’s social media platform X for failing to adequately address harmful content. This marks the third significant move by EU regulators against major tech companies in recent weeks. The Internal Market Commissioner, Thierry Breton, is expected to make this announcement before the EU's summer recess, according to sources who requested anonymity. If X does not make the required changes following the European Commission’s initial findings, it could face a formal decision and financial penalties, potentially up to 6% of its revenue, by the end of the year.
The warning to X arises from an investigation initiated by EU regulators in December, focusing on how the platform handled content in the aftermath of the Oct. 7 Hamas attacks on Israel. This examination of X follows similar probes into Meta Platforms Inc., AliExpress, and ByteDance Ltd.’s TikTok. The European Commission has stated that the proceedings against X are ongoing, with no specific deadlines for the next steps. As of now, X has not responded to requests for comments.
New EU Legislation Targeting Big Tech
The EU's move against X aligns with a broader strategy to enforce new laws targeting powerful online platforms. The Digital Services Act (DSA) and the Digital Markets Act (DMA) are two significant pieces of legislation enacted to regulate tech giants more strictly. The DSA, which became legally enforceable last August, imposes stringent content rules on social media platforms, online marketplaces, and app stores. The law mandates these platforms to take proactive measures against misinformation and harmful content, including hate speech, terrorist propaganda, and unsafe advertisements.
Additionally, regulators are paying closer attention to social media features that create so-called “rabbit holes,” drawing young users into increasingly inappropriate content.
Digital Markets Act Enforcement
The DMA, effective from March 7, outlines a comprehensive list of do’s and don’ts for major tech firms, deriving from antitrust regulations honed over decades. Its primary objective is to prevent abusive practices before they allow dominant companies to monopolize digital markets. Recently, the EU has issued formal warnings to Apple Inc. and Meta over alleged violations of the DMA, underscoring the intensified regulatory focus on ensuring fair competition and consumer protection in the digital domain.
