EU asks X for internal documents on algorithms as it steps up investigation | X

The European Commission has asked X to hand over internal documents about its algorithms as it steps up its investigation into whether Elon Musk’s social media platform broke EU rules on content moderation.

The executive power of the EU the company said it wanted to see internal documentation about its “recommendation system,” which provides content suggestions to users, and any recent changes made by February 15.

Since December 2023, X has been under investigation under EU content legislation – known as the Digital Services Act (DSA) – over how it tackles the spread of illegal content and information manipulation. The company has been accused of manipulating the platform’s systems to give far-right posts and politicians greater visibility over other political groups.

In recent weeks, the EU has come under increasing pressure to act following a series of interventions by Musk in European politics. Musk, who will be part of Donald Trump’s administration in the US, has angered many on the continent with attacks on its leaders as well as expressions of support for Germany’s far-right Alternative für Deutschland (AfD) party.

“Today we are taking further steps to shed light on X’s recommender systems’ compliance with the obligations under the DSA,” EU digital commissioner Henna Virkkunen said in a statement.

The commission played down reports this week that it was reviewing its investigations against major tech companies, stressing that they were proceeding as usual and that Trump’s return to the White House did not affect its commitment to enforcing its laws.

Virkkunen indicated that the EU would not hesitate to use the powers it had to ban or fine X if it was found to be in breach of the DSA. “We are committed to ensuring that any platform operating in the EU respects our legislation, which aims to make the online environment fair, safe and democratic for all European citizens,” she said.

In addition to its request for information about X’s recommendation systems and any recent changes by February 15, the three-pronged investigation has also issued a “retention order” requiring the platform to retain internal documents and information regarding future changes to the design and operation of the recommendation algorithm between 17 January and 31 December, unless the commission’s investigation is concluded before the end of the year.

The Commission has also issued a request for access to certain of X’s commercial interfaces, or APIs, which are used to automatically pull content from third parties.

Johnny Ryan, a tech litigator, said it was “positive” that Virkkunen “is taking the opportunity to publicly signal that the EU will enforce its law on its soil”.

He said the detention order was “an important step” and was used after the Romanian election rigging involving TikTok.

Some European politicians have accused Musk of meddling in elections, such as with his streamed conversation with Alice Weidel, the leader of the AfD, earlier this month. The commission has said Musk is free to speak his mind and can hold live streams with politicians, but is assessing whether algorithms boost a single narrative and “shadow-ban” other views, posing a risk to fair elections.

Musk has said that the criticism is a violation of democracy and freedom of speech.