Ireland investigates X moderation practices
Coimisiún na Meán’s, Ireland’s media supervisor, has initiated an inquiry into X to see whether the online messaging platform complies with the Digital Services Act (DSA).
Coimisiún na Meán’s, Ireland’s media supervisor, has initiated an inquiry into X to see whether the online messaging platform complies with the Digital Services Act (DSA).
Coimisiún na Meán’s Investigations Team is going to check whether X is complying with Article 20 of the DSA. This article states, among other things, that users must be able to appeal decisions made by a platform’s moderation team.
Investigators will examine whether people can appeal decisions made by X’s moderation team, specifically concerning reported posts that are not removed, even though the reporting user believes the posts violate X’s policy.
In addition, the Investigation Team will rule on whether users are properly informed of the outcome of a report they submit, and whether they are informed about their right to appeal the moderation team’s decision.
Lastly, the media supervisor will check whether X has an internal complaints-handling mechanism that’s easily accessible and user-friendly.
“Following our supervision of X and analysis of information gathered from a variety of sources, there is reason to suspect that X may not be in compliance with their obligations under Article 20. This investigation will assess if X has properly informed users of their rights to contest decisions it makes after users report content that they believe violates X’s terms of service,” John Evans, Digital Services Commissioner at Coimisiún na Meán, says in a press release.
He continues by saying that online platforms are compelled to comply with their obligations under the DSA.
“Following our supervision of X and analysis of information gathered from a variety of sources, there is reason to suspect that X may not be in compliance with their obligations under Article 20,”John Evans said.
“If we suspect that any platform is failing in these obligations, we will not hesitate to intervene and, where appropriate, take enforcement action to protect the safety of users in Ireland, and across the European Union,” Evans adds.
If found guilty of breaching the DSA, X could face a fine of up to 6% of its global annual turnover.
The DSA was adopted in the European Union in 2021. The goal of this legislation is to better protect European consumers and internet users against large and powerful tech companies.
According to the DSA, companies with over 45 million active monthly users and an annual turnover of €7.5 billion in the EU are considered “Very Large Online Players” or VLOPs. They are required to take appropriate steps to combat illegal content.
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