• The European Union is escalating its investigation into X, the social media platform owned by Elon Musk.
• Officials demand internal documents on X's recommender algorithms by February 15.
• The investigation aims to determine if the platform adheres to the Digital Services Act.
• Musk's political involvement has drawn scrutiny and sparked concerns over content manipulation.
• The EU emphasizes the necessity for transparency to ensure a safe online environment.

The European Commission has formally requested internal documents from X (formerly Twitter), directing the company to submit details about its algorithms as part of a deepening investigation into potential violations of EU regulations. This inquiry, which began in December 2023 under the framework of the Digital Services Act (DSA), will require the platform to provide insights into its “recommender system” by February 15, 2025.

Concerns have mounted regarding whether X adequately addresses the proliferation of illegal content and disinformation on its platform, particularly accusations of algorithmic bias favoring far-right content and politicians, following Musk's controversial remarks and public support for Germany's far-right AfD party. EU digital commissioner Henna Virkkunen stated, “Today we are taking further steps to shed light on the compliance of X’s recommender systems with the obligations under the DSA.”

In addition to the documentation request, X is obligated to maintain records of any operations on its recommender algorithms from January 17 to December 31, unless the investigation concludes earlier. The EU has also sought access to specific commercial application programming interfaces (APIs) to allow for independent analysis of content moderation and the virality of posts on the platform. The Commission aims to uphold standards that safeguard a fair and democratic online space.

Musk, facing increasing scrutiny, has openly criticized the DSA, labeling it as a method of censorship. However, the EU insists that its enforcement actions are independent of political pressures or situations, asserting its commitment to ensuring that platforms comply with legislative requirements pertinent to user safety and content integrity. The investigation reflects a broader commitment by the EU to mitigate systemic risks associated with digital platforms' operational practices.

For further details, you can read the complete reports from the Guardian and India Times.