Elon Musk’s planned live discussion with Alice Weidel, leader of Germany’s far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party, on his platform X this Thursday has drawn scrutiny from the European Union.
Brussels confirmed on Monday that the event does not breach EU laws, including the Digital Services Act (DSA), but said it would monitor the stream for potential electoral interference.
The chat comes ahead of Germany’s snap elections on February, with Musk’s open support for the AfD sparking widespread criticism.
The DSA, which governs content moderation and transparency, allows Musk to host and share political opinions online, said EU digital spokesperson Thomas Regnier. However, X is under investigation for suspected violations related to managing risks around civic discourse and electoral processes.
Regnier emphasised that platforms must avoid preferential treatment or algorithmic amplification of specific content, including far-right messages. Under the DSA, users must also be allowed to opt out of related content.
The EU has scheduled a meeting with German authorities, digital platforms, and civil society on 24 January to address online risks ahead of the elections.
The probe into X, launched in December 2023, also examines allegations of misleading users with blue checkmarks, lack of advertising transparency, and restricted data access for researchers.
