The EU Has Its Eye on the Digital Services Act
In December 2023, the European Commission opened the floodgates for an investigation into potential Digital Services Act breaches, pulling the plug on any sloppy compliance in the digital space.
Why This Matters
- Ensures a level playing field for all online platforms.
- Safeguards users from hidden manipulation tactics.
- Keeps competition healthy and fair.
What Comes Next?
The Commission will comb through data, host hearings, and could hand out hefty fines if anyone is found dancing around the rules.
Keep Your Eyes On It
This investigation is still underway, so stay tuned for new twists as the digital landscape adjusts to compliance demands.
Elon Musk’s X Faces an EU “Red Card” Over Targeted Ads
Nine civil‑society watchdogs (including EDRi, AI Forensics and CDT) just filed a formal complaint against X, the racy social‑media platform that’s been considered “government‑level” since late 2023. The complaint says the platform is guilty of violating the EU’s Digital Services Act (DSA) by using extra‑sensitive personal data to target ads.
What the AI‑Forensics Team Found
- Targeted Ads on Sensitive Grounds: Brands and public institutions were using X’s Ad Repository to run ads that excluded users based on political opinions, sexual orientation, religious beliefs, and health conditions.
- Case in Point: Total Energies: X let the energy giant advertise while filtering out anyone who’d searched terms tied to ecological political figures.
- Case in Point: McDonald’s: The fast‑food chain could launch promotions that didn’t reach users who’d explored trade union chatter, antidepressants, or even suicide.
Why This Is a Problem
Under the DSA, platforms are prohibited from profiling users based on “special categories” of data and then targeting ads accordingly. X’s actions—by allowing advertisers to exclude or target users on the basis of such sensitive traits—constitute a clear breach.
Calling for Justice
The complainants urge both national Digital Services Coordinators and the European Commission to launch a formal investigation into X’s alleged misconduct.
The EU’s Existing Scrutiny
- December 2023: The Commission opened an inquiry into X under the DSA.
- Last Summer: Preliminary findings revealed that X’s blue checkmarks were deceptive and that the platform fails on both transparency and accountability.
- Response Opportunity: X had the chance to reply in writing, but the investigation is still pending.
In short, if Musk’s platform is going to keep the “” badge on the monitor, it better clean up its digital habits or be ready for a serious run‑in with European regulators.