The EU Commission asks ‘X’ clarifications on content moderation

The former Twitter has reduced its team of content moderators by almost 20% since the previous report sent to Brussels in October 2023

by Alessio Pisanò

BRUSSELS – The European Commission has sent a request for clarification to the social network ‘X’ (formerly Twitter) following the reduction in the tools and staff used for content moderation. The request falls within the framework of the rules and procedures established by the Digital Services Act (DSA), and seeks to obtain more details on X’s content moderation policies and the risk assessment conducted by scope of the implementation of generative artificial intelligence tools.

“The aim is to understand how the platform’s policies could influence electoral processes, the diffusion of illegal content and the protection of fundamental rights”, reads a statement from the Commission. The Commission’s request comes following the latest transparency report produced within the DSA, which shows that X has reduced its team of content moderators by almost 20% since the previous report sent to Brussels strong> in October 2023. Due to this limitation of linguistic coverage in the moderation of content from 11 to 7 official languages of the European Union, X is requested to provide the Commission with information by 17 May 2024.

On other issues, such as possible influence on electoral processes, it must respond by 27 May 2024. Under the DSA, the Commission can impose fines for inaccurate, incomplete or misleading information in response to a request for information. Brussels underlines that failure to respond within the deadline could result in the imposition of financial penalties.