EU investigates "X": Musk's company faces billions in fines for misinformation
The European Union has accused Elon Musk's platform "X" of "disseminating illegal content" - and has now opened official proceedings. The investigation centres on a lack of transparency and moderation of hate speech and false information, as well as the possible misleading of users.
The EU is taking the online service "X" by the scruff of the neck and opening proceedings against the platform. The aim of the investigation is to find out to what extent the allegations made by the EU against "X" are true.
"X" may have violated the rules on risk management. "X" has also done an inadequate job of moderating misinformation and hate speech, preventing the distribution of illegal content and advertising transparency. At least that is the EU's accusation.
Dark patterns and blue tick
The focus is also on so-called dark patterns. These are tricks - often graphics - used to trick users into acting against their own interests. Take cookie banners, for example, where the "Accept all" button is much larger and more colourful than the "Reject" button.
In the case of "X", this also applies to the blue tick marks that were previously used to verify accounts. Today, they are also used for paid content - presumably to increase trust in the respective account.
Faulty "X" report is the reason for the proceedings
It could be expensive for Musk
The responsible persons are currently conducting interviews and examinations. They can also decide on interim measures - but "X" could also take action on its own initiative and improve the defects. The procedure has no specific deadline, so it could still drag on. However, if it ends in "X's" favour, it can be very expensive: The fine could amount to up to 6 per cent of the platform's global turnover.
These proceedings are symbolic
The Digital Markets Act, or the Digital Services Act, is already demonstrably not a paper tiger - it will be applied. The EU can thus emancipate itself to some extent from the accusation of being a cumbersome, technologically dependent construct. The fact that the investigation will now continue for a while and that "X" has been given the opportunity to rectify the situation independently also demonstrates legal fairness.
Cover image: Shutterstock
I've been tinkering with digital networks ever since I found out how to activate both telephone channels on the ISDN card for greater bandwidth. As for the analogue variety, I've been doing that since I learned to talk. Though Winterthur is my adoptive home city, my heart still bleeds red and blue.
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