On October 13, 2023, at 11:59 a.m., the European Union announced that it had opened an official investigation into an online platform for the first time since the European Digital Services Act came into force. This historic step is of great importance and raises many questions about the responsibility of online platforms in today's digital world.

The allegations against X

EU Industry Commissioner Thierry Breton sharply criticized X, a social media service formerly known as Twitter and now operating under a new name. Breton emphasized that the company had not taken sufficient action against the dissemination of false information in connection with Hamas' attack on Israel. These accusations are serious, as disinformation on the internet poses a significant threat to society and, in this case, could further fuel the conflict in the Middle East.

The official investigation begins

The EU Commission has requested information from X as a first step in the official investigation. This marks the beginning of a thorough investigation to determine whether X has fulfilled its responsibility to combat disinformation and misinformation.

The reaction of X and Elon Musk

X itself has not yet issued an official statement on the allegations. However, the owner of X, Elon Musk, has made his own statement on the platform. Musk emphasized that the EU has not yet provided any concrete examples of disinformation. This could indicate a possible legal dispute between X and the EU.

The increase in misinformation

Since the outbreak of fighting in the Middle East, researchers have noticed a sharp increase in the targeted dissemination of false information on various platforms, including X, TikTok and the meta-services Facebook and Instagram. On X in particular, this phenomenon appears to be the most widespread. This raises serious questions about the responsibility of online platforms, especially in times of international crisis when disinformation can become a real threat to public security.

The importance of the investigation

The investigation into X is being closely watched by many observers as it is seen as a precedent for the enforcement of the new EU laws on online platforms. The EU has decided to take decisive action against disinformation and hate speech online, and the results of this investigation will show whether these efforts can bear fruit.

Conclusion

The future of online platforms and their role in disseminating information is at stake and the EU will act decisively to protect public safety and trust in the internet. This case highlights the importance of taking action against disinformation and ensuring that online platforms fulfill their responsibilities to curb the spread of misinformation. The findings of this investigation could have far-reaching implications for the regulation and behavior of online platforms in the future.