EU deepens probe into X after Musk outbursts

BRUSSELS, Belgium: The EU on Friday demanded X provide more details about its algorithms as part of its wide-ranging probe into the platform, as Elon Musk´s outbursts on European politics ramp up pressure for the bloc to act.

Musk, who will be a part of Donald Trump´s incoming administration in the United States, has angered Europe with a series of attacks on the continent´s leaders as well as support for Germany´s far-right AfD party before next month´s vote.

The European Commission, which acts as the bloc´s digital watchdog, has come under fierce scrutiny from EU lawmakers seeking tougher measures against X and Musk´s “interference” in Germany.

Musk´s X is suspected of manipulating the platform´s systems to give far-right posts and politicians greater visibility over other political groups.

X has been under investigation since December 2023 under the European Union´s landmark content law -- known as the Digital Services Act (DSA) -- regarding how it tackles the spread of illegal content and information manipulation.

“Today we are taking further steps to shed light on the compliance of X´s recommender systems with the obligations under the DSA,” said the EU´s tech chief, Henna Virkkunen. Recommender systems are used by platforms to push more personalised content.