The European Commission has demanded answers from Elon Musk’s social media platform X over its handling of content about the Islamist Hamas attack on Israel.

The commission sent X a formal request for information under the European Union’s Digital Services Act (DSA) in a statement on Thursday.

“This request follows indications received by the Commission services of the alleged spreading of illegal content and disinformation, in particular the spreading of terrorist and violent content and hate speech,” the statement said.

Obligations under the DSA include a tool to report illegal online content.

Protocols must also be in place to address the spread of disinformation during a crisis.

The commission said that X has until October 18 to answer questions relating to the activation and functioning of X’s crisis response protocol.

“Based on the assessment of X replies, the Commission will assess next steps,” it said.

Infringements of the DSA can result in fines. 

For designated companies, financial penalties can be up to six per cent of global turnover. In exceptional circumstances, with a court order, a company can be temporarily shut down.

Earlier in the week, EU Commissioner Thierry Breton called on X to review content control in light of the escalating violence.

In a three-page answer on Wednesday evening, X chief executive Linda Yaccarino listed the general platform rules and measures taken by X against illegal content.

Yaccarino said the platform had taken action against tens of thousands of posts since the weekend.

Hundreds of accounts linked to Hamas had also been removed. 

(dpa/NAN)