"Graphic images, videos, and hashtags related to the recent Hamas attack on Israel have inundated the social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter.

On October 11th, European Commissioner Thierry Breton, responsible for the Digital Services Act (DSA), issued a warning to the platform's owner, Elon Musk, urging compliance with the European Union's content moderation rules and the removal of violent content. The platform was given a strict 24-hour deadline to provide a timely, accurate, and comprehensive response to this request.

Linda Yaccarino, the current CEO of X, has now announced the removal of hundreds of Hamas-linked accounts, along with the labeling or removal of thousands of pieces of content. Yaccarino also emphasized the role of Community Notes, enabling users to flag posts and contribute their own fact-checks.

Why is this significant?

In the wake of the Israel-Hamas conflict, social media platforms have been flooded with misinformation and disinformation. While platforms like Facebook, YouTube, and TikTok are also grappling with the surge in rumors and false information, X is a particularly vital source for real-time updates on current events. The immediate interaction between EU digital policy enforcers and social media platforms is likely to become more frequent, and the reactions on both sides will determine the success of the DSA."