EU Demands X’s Algorithm Documents Amid Far-Right Visibility Probe

BRUSSELS, Belgium — The European Commission has escalated its investigation into Elon Musk’s social media platform X, demanding internal documents about its algorithms by February 15. The probe focuses on whether the platform manipulated its systems to amplify far-right content and politicians, potentially violating the EU’s Digital Services Act (DSA).

The EU’s executive branch is specifically examining X’s “recommender system,” which suggests content to users, and any recent changes to it. The investigation, launched in December 2023, centers on allegations that X has prioritized far-right posts and political figures over other groups, raising concerns about illegal content dissemination and information manipulation.

EU Digital Commissioner Henna Virkkunen emphasized the urgency of the matter in a statement: “Today we are taking further steps to shed light on the compliance of X’s recommender systems with the obligations under the DSA.” The commission has also issued a “retention order” requiring X to preserve internal documents related to algorithm changes from January 17 to December 31, unless the investigation concludes earlier.

The probe comes amid growing scrutiny of Musk’s influence on European politics. Musk, who has expressed support for Germany’s far-right Alternative für Deutschland (AfD) party, has faced criticism for allegedly meddling in elections. The commission is assessing whether X’s algorithms disproportionately boost specific narratives or “shadow-ban” opposing views, potentially undermining fair elections.

Musk has defended his platform, calling the criticism an attack on free speech and democracy. However, the EU has signaled it will not hesitate to impose fines or bans if X is found in breach of the DSA. “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,” Virkkunen said.

In addition to the document request, the commission has sought access to X’s commercial interfaces or APIs, which are used to automatically pull content from third parties. Johnny Ryan, a senior fellow at the Irish Council for Civil Liberties, praised the EU’s actions, calling the retention order “an important step” and noting its use in previous cases, such as election manipulation involving TikTok in Romania.

As the investigation unfolds, the EU’s stance underscores its commitment to enforcing digital regulations, even as Musk’s platform faces mounting pressure to comply with European laws.