European Union officials have singled out X, formerly known as Twitter, as a purveyor of fake news and disinformation. European Commission Vice-President Vera Jourova urged owner Elon Musk to adhere to EU regulations combating disinformation, emphasizing that X is obligated to comply despite exiting the voluntary code of conduct. This comes as concerns about election interference by malicious actors, including Russia, loom large ahead of pivotal elections in Slovakia, Poland, and the broader EU.

Jourova did not mince words when referring to Russia’s disinformation campaigns, dubbing them a “weapon of mass manipulation” that targets not only Russians but also Europeans and the global audience. She stressed the urgent need for major tech companies, including Google, TikTok, Microsoft, and Meta, to step up their efforts in combatting disinformation, particularly stemming from Russia.

A recent study conducted by the European Commission scrutinized the prevalence of disinformation on six online platforms in Poland, Slovakia, and Spain. Alarmingly, X emerged as the platform with the highest incidence of disinformation, drawing attention to its role in propagating false narratives. Furthermore, disinformation actors on X were found to have more followers and to have joined the platform more recently than non-disinformation users.

The concerns over disinformation have been exacerbated by upcoming parliamentary elections in Slovakia and Poland, with European Parliament elections scheduled for the subsequent year. Social media platforms, including X, were taken to task for their perceived lackluster efforts in combating the proliferation of fake news.

In response, the European Commission has called for more substantial efforts and better results from online platforms in tackling disinformation. Russian propaganda and disinformation continue to cast a shadow over the digital landscape, posing a grave threat to the integrity of the electoral process and geopolitical stability.

Vera Jourova underscored the critical importance of countering disinformation in the digital realm, particularly in the face of ongoing geopolitical conflicts. With Europe’s democratic foundations at stake, the spotlight remains firmly fixed on tech giants to take decisive action against the spread of fake news and disinformation on their platforms. As the countdown to crucial elections begins, the world watches closely to see whether these calls for action will yield meaningful results.

Related:

• All X (Twitter) users may soon have to pay monthly to use the platform
• Elon Musk’s Leadership Style Under Fire as FTC Predicts “Chaos” at X, Formerly Twitter
• X is Now an AI Playground for Elon Musk to Mine User Data

(via)

The post EU Officials Condemn X (Formerly Twitter) as Major Source of Fake News appeared first on Gizmochina.