The technological battle between l’Europe et X takes on a new dimension. The social network ofElon Musk is the subject of in-depth investigations by the European Commission, particularly on the transparency of its algorithm. Suspicions of manipulation to artificially amplify the visibility of its owner's messages raise questions of compliance with the Digital Services Act (DSA). Three alleged violations have already been identified, relating to the certification of information sources, advertising transparency and access to data for researchers.
A tense relationship with regulators
The confrontations ofElon Musk with the authorities are not new. The billionaire has multiplied the passes of arms with Emmanuel Macron on content moderation, Elizabeth Warren on financial regulation and Justin Trudeau regarding the truckers' protests. His particularly heated exchanges with Thierry Bretonardent defender of DSAillustrate the resistance of the social network in the face of European requirements for control and transparency.
The shadow of electoral interference
The escalation of tensions reached its climax with the intervention ofElon Musk in German politics. Reacting to a video of Naomi Seibta 19-year-old YouTuber, the owner of “Only the AfD can save Germany”. This statement, viewed 50 million times a few weeks before the federal election in February 2025, raises concerns about possible electoral interference. The situation becomes all the more sensitive as it coincides with an attack on the Magdeburg Christmas market.
Growing geopolitical repercussions
Faced with criticism from Thierry Breton on this intervention in the German democratic process, Elon Musk responds with a provocative statement: “Dude, American interference is the only reason you don’t speak German or Russian today.” This reference to the role of UNITED STATES during the Second World War rekindles diplomatic tensions. The situation is part of an already complex context, marked by the proximity between the billionaire and Donald Trumpfuture occupant of the White House. The issues now go beyond the regulatory framework to touch on transatlantic relations, while the European Commission is still hesitant to launch a formal investigation into the X algorithm, despite precedents such as the investigation into TikTok following the cancellation of an election presidential election in Romania.
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