Brussels orders X to hand over documents on algorithm

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Brussels has ordered Elon Musk to fully disclose recent changes to X recommendations, intensifying an investigation into the social media platform’s role in European politics.

The European Commission’s expanded investigation announced on Friday calls for X: hand over internal documents regarding its recommendation algorithm.

In addition, the EU regulator has requested access to information about how the social media network moderates and enhances content.

The move follows complaints from German politicians that X’s algorithm is promoting far-right content ahead of elections on February 23. Musk came out in favor of the nationalist Alternative for Germany (AfD) party, claiming that it would save Germany.

Asked whether the expanded inquiry was a response to Musk’s controversial interview with AfD co-leader Alice Weidel last week, a Commission spokesman said the new inquiry helped “us monitor the systems around all these events”.

However, he said it was “completely independent of any political considerations or any particular event”.

“We are committed to ensuring that every platform operating in the EU respects our legislation, which aims to make the online environment fair, safe and democratic for all European citizens,” said Hena Virkunen, the Commission’s Head of Digital.

X did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

This is a developing story