X Under Fire: EU Study Reveals Failure to Curb Russian Disinformation

A recent EU-backed report puts Elon Musk’s X platform at the center of a growing digital crisis. According to researchers, X shows the highest spread of Russian disinformation among leading social platforms like Facebook, YouTube, and TikTok.

The study links X’s failure to the platform’s withdrawal from the EU’s voluntary disinformation code. In doing so, it removed itself from guidelines that aim to curb false content and foreign interference. Since then, X has reportedly taken minimal action against Kremlin-linked sources and misleading posts.

Key examples include false stories about Ukraine, COVID-19, and European elections. These narratives often stay online for days without moderation. Researchers say the platform lacks basic tools to identify harmful content. They also cite limited transparency around X’s algorithms, which may unintentionally amplify disinformation.

Under the Digital Services Act (DSA), platforms that reach millions in the EU must reduce systemic risks. X’s continued noncompliance puts it at risk of fines or restrictions. The European Commission is expected to take formal action if improvements aren’t made.

While Musk promotes X as a champion of free speech, critics argue that loose moderation invites foreign manipulation. The study warns that unchecked disinformation threatens democratic stability and public trust.

This case highlights a bigger challenge: how global platforms manage harmful content while respecting speech rights. As regulation expands, companies like X must find a balance—or face serious consequences.