The European Union has initiated a formal investigation into social media company X, marking the first probe under the recently enacted Digital Services Act (DSA). European Commissioner Thierry Breton announced the proceedings on X, emphasising the examination of X’s systems and policies regarding suspected DSA violations. The investigation will specifically scrutinise X’s efforts in curbing the dissemination of illegal content and assessing the effectiveness of measures against information manipulation, particularly through its Community Notes fact-checking feature. Additionally, concerns about user interface issues, deceptive use of “verified” accounts, and restricted access for researchers will be examined.

X, the subject of the investigation, expressed its commitment to complying with the Digital Services Act and assured cooperation with the regulatory process. The company emphasised the importance of a non-politicised and lawful investigative process, highlighting its dedication to fostering a secure and inclusive environment for all platform users while safeguarding freedom of expression.

Enacted in November of the previous year, the DSA imposes obligations on online platforms and search engines with over 45 million active users to actively combat illegal content and risks to public security. The EU initiated its preliminary investigation in October, addressing various tech companies, including X, Meta, TikTok, and Alphabet. The focus of the probe includes evaluating efforts to counter the dissemination of illegal content in the EU and the efficacy of measures taken against information manipulation, such as the newly introduced Community Notes feature. The investigation will involve a detailed examination through additional information requests, interviews, and inspections.

Notably, the DSA enforces new regulations concerning content moderation, user privacy, and transparency. Any entity found in violation may face fines of up to 6% of its global turnover.