EU Eyes Musk's Algorithm Tweaks in AfD Stream

Elon Musk's actions on the X platform are under close watch by Brussels. The European Union's digital regulators are keeping an eye on whether Musk manipulates the platform's algorithm to favor his content and boost the visibility of far-right figures like the AfD leader. This could lead to fines as steep as 6% of X's global annual revenue. The EU wants to ensure platforms like X remove illegal content and combat disinformation, especially during elections. Thomas Regnier, a Commission spokesperson, explained that the focus is on how much Musk's content and that of far-right figures are promoted. This could be seen as an unfair advantage and a breach of EU social media laws. If X is fined, it could spark a diplomatic row with the incoming U. S. administration led by Donald Trump, who has close ties with Musk. X, being a large platform, is directly supervised by the EU's DG CONNECT digital department. The company has faced a probe since December 2023 for misleading users, lack of transparency, and not sharing public data. The Commission might expand this probe based on how the algorithm handles the AfD livestream.