Elon Musk's X, rebranded from Twitter earlier this year, is facing a major challenge as the European Commission launched a formal investigation into potential violations of the Digital Services Act (DSA). This marks the first major probe under the new EU regulations designed to curb harmful content and promote transparency on social media platforms.

The investigation covers a broad range of concerns, including X's:

• Risk management: Are adequate internal systems in place to identify and mitigate illegal content like hate speech or disinformation?

• Content moderation: Does X enforce its own rules consistently and transparently, or are there instances of arbitrary removals or biased application of policies?

• Dark patterns: Are users nudged into making decisions through manipulative interface designs, such as the placement of the paid "Blue Check Mark" subscription next to organic verified accounts, potentially misleading users about user legitimacy?

• Advertising transparency: Are users clearly informed about the nature and source of targeted advertising, or are there concerns about hidden sponsorships or opaque targeting practices?

• Data access for researchers: Is X providing sufficient access to researchers studying online harms and platform manipulation, as mandated by the DSA?

“Today’s opening of formal proceedings against X makes it clear that, with the DSA, the time of big online platforms behaving like they are ‘too big to care’ has come to an end,” Thierry Breton, the EU’s commissioner for internal market, said in a statement. “We will now start an in-depth investigation of X’s compliance with the DSA obligations concerning countering the dissemination and amplification of illegal content and disinformation in the EU, transparency of the platforms and design of the user interface.”

This probe stems from the analysis of X's own risk assessment report submitted in September 2023, along with its subsequent transparency report. The Commission found discrepancies and insufficient detail in these documents, leading to the need for a more detailed investigation.

"We are committed to ensuring that online platforms comply with the new rules set out in the Digital Services Act," said Vera Jourova, European Commissioner for Competition and Values, in a statement. "This investigation is necessary to establish whether X is fulfilling its obligations to protect users from illegal content and harmful practices."

The investigation could lead to hefty fines for X if the Commission finds evidence of non-compliance. More importantly, it could force significant changes to how the platform operates in the European Union, potentially impacting its business model and user experience.

X has yet to issue a formal response to the Commission's announcement. However, the platform has previously been criticized by EU officials for its content moderation policies and its perceived lack of transparency.

This investigation marks a significant step in the EU's efforts to hold big tech companies accountable for their online activities. It also highlights the increasing scrutiny that X, under Musk's leadership, faces as it navigates the complex regulatory landscape in Europe and beyond.

The future of X/Twitter in Europe remains uncertain, with the outcome of this investigation holding the potential for major changes to the platform and its approach to user safety and online content.