Activist groups in Berlin have filed a lawsuit against Elon Musk's social media platform, X, alleging a violation of European law for withholding essential information needed to monitor online disinformation before Germany's national election on Feb. 23. The Society for Civil Rights (GFF) and Democracy Reporting International have stated that X is not providing adequate access to crucial data, such as post reach and engagement metrics. DRI's Michael Meyer-Resende stated, Other platforms have granted us access to track public debates systematically, but X has refused to do so, when announcing the legal action. They argue that they are entitled to this data under the European Union's Digital Services Act. X has yet to respond to requests for comment.
Given concerns over election interference, heightened by past incidents like the annulled presidential election in Romania, where authorities cited a Russian-influenced social media campaign, monitoring X's activities has become a pressing issue. The recent endorsement of the German far right by Musk has further raised apprehensions. GFF's Simone Ruf emphasized, Platforms are increasingly being weaponized against democratic elections. We must defend ourselves.
Musk's alterations to X, previously Twitter, have restricted researchers' access to track information dissemination, now offered as a paid service, sparking additional debate. Musk, known as the world's wealthiest person and currently associated with U.S. President Donald Trump, welcomed Alternative for Germany's leader Alice Weidel on X in January, asserting, "Only the AfD can save Germany!"