The European Commission has intensified its investigation into X’s algorithm practices amidst potential violations of the Digital Services Act (DSA). They are asking X for internal documents related to its recommender system, expressing concern over the platform’s influence on political content and illegal information spread. Henna Virkkunen, EU digital commissioner, underscored the EU’s commitment to enforcing compliance, while ensuring transparency in algorithms impacting public discourse.
The European Commission has requested internal documentation from X regarding its algorithms as part of an ongoing investigation into potential violations of EU content moderation regulations. Specifically, they are interested in X’s “recommender system,” which suggests content to users, and any modifications made to it, with a deadline of February 15.
X has been under scrutiny since December 2023 under the Digital Services Act (DSA), focusing on its management of illegal content and information manipulation. Allegations have emerged asserting that X’s platform algorithms disproportionately elevate far-right content, including posts from far-right politicians, over others.
This investigation has intensified amid increasing pressure on the EU to respond to Elon Musk’s interventions in European political matters. His support for Germany’s far-right Alternative für Deutschland (AfD) and his criticisms of EU leaders have raised concerns about potential electoral meddling.
Henna Virkkunen, the EU digital commissioner, emphasized the importance of transparency in X’s recommender systems, stating that the EU is committed to enforcing compliance with the DSA. The Commission reassured that its ongoing investigations into major tech companies remain unaffected by recent political shifts in the United States.
In addition to documentation on the recommender system, the EU has issued a “retention order” requiring X to preserve relevant internal information regarding changes to its algorithms from January 17 to December 31 unless the investigation is concluded earlier. These measures are critical for ensuring transparency and accountability.
The Commission has also sought access to specific commercial interfaces of X, which facilitate automatic content retrieval from third-party sources. Johnny Ryan, a tech litigator, acknowledged the Commission’s proactive stance in enforcing EU law, citing the significance of the retention order following past incidents involving TikTok.
Concerns regarding Musk’s potential influence in elections were highlighted by European politicians, particularly following a recent live discussion he had with AfD leader Alice Weidel. While the Commission acknowledges Musk’s right to engage politically, it will evaluate the impact of algorithms in potentially skewing public discourse and affecting electoral fairness. Musk has criticized these investigations as detrimental to democracy and free speech.
Original Source: www.theguardian.com
