X owner Elon Musk is supporting the nationalist Alternative for Germany (AfD) party in the forthcoming election. Photograph: New York Times
Brussels has ordered Elon Musk to fully disclose recent changes made to recommendations on X, stepping up an investigation into the role of the social media platform in European politics.
The expanded probe by the European Commission, announced on Friday, requires X to hand over internal documents regarding its recommendation algorithm. The Commission also issued a “retention order” for all relevant documents relating to how the algorithm could be amended in future.
In addition, the EU regulator requested access to information on how the social media network moderates and amplifies content.
The move follows complaints from politicians in Germany that X’s algorithm is promoting content by the far right in advance of the country’s February 23rd elections. Mr Musk has come out in favour of the nationalist Alternative for Germany (AfD) party, arguing that it will save Germany.
When asked if the expanded probe was a response to a controversial interview Mr Musk conducted last week with AfD co-leader Alice Weidel, a Commission spokesperson said the new request helped “us monitor systems around all these events taking place”.
However, he said it was “completely independent of any political considerations or any specific events”.
“We are committed to ensuring that every platform operating in the EU respects our legislation, which aims to make the online environment fair, safe, and democratic for all European citizens,” said Henna Virkkunen, the Commission’s digital chief.
X did not immediately respond to a request for comment. – Copyright The Financial Times
metengrinwi on January 17th, 2025 at 21:25 UTC »
This is what the US’ TikTok “ban” should always have been.
We need a law that requires algorithm transparency on all social media platforms (not isolated to TikTok)—maybe available to an oversight department in the CFPB (or wherever agency makes sense). The government absolutely has a duty to make sure civil society isn’t being intentionally undermined for profit.
If the law had applied to all social media, it wouldn’t seem so targeted at China.
The reason it doesn’t happen is congress can’t stand to put limits on FB, twitter, etc.
Hayes4prez on January 17th, 2025 at 19:16 UTC »
As an American, I’m so thankful for the EU standing up to corporations & billionaires. I wish I lived in a country where my government stood up for people.
OptionX on January 17th, 2025 at 19:04 UTC »
Honestly if they're gonna ask it from X they should ask from every major social media platform present in EU territories as well.
Meta for example isn't any shyer over political influence on its users on its platforms.