French prosecutors have opened an investigation into X over allegations that it distorted its algorithms.

Summary

French prosecutors have launched an investigation into Elon Musk’s X over allegations that it manipulated its algorithms to distort discourse.

The probe follows a report from a French lawmaker, citing “biased algorithms” that may have interfered with automated data processing.

Meanwhile, the EU is also investigating X for potential violations of the Digital Services Act, demanding internal algorithm documents by Feb. 15.

X has faced criticism for allegedly amplifying far-right content, with Musk publicly supporting Germany’s far-right AfD party.

  • Monomate@lemm.eeEnglish
    11·
    4 hours ago

    The problem was when lefties were in charge of Twitter’s moderation team. They were trigger-happy in banning anyone who didn’t agree with their self-proclaimed “social consensus.” In this last U.S. election cycle, we found out this consensus was a lie. Examples:

    User1: “I’m against illegal immigration. Deport the illegals now!”

    Mod: “Racist!! You’re permanently banned!”

    User2: “We gotta have stricter laws for legal refugees. They don’t respect our local customs and bring social issues (i.e., higher crime rates) that burden the taxpayer.”

    Mod: “Nazi!! You’re permanently banned!”

    User3: “I’m against hormonal therapies and sex-change surgeries on kids. We gotta have legislation that forbids it and makes doctors accountable.”

    Mod: “Transphobe!! You’re permanently banned!”

    They maliciously extrapolate dissenting opinions to paint them as something bad. People have the right to be dissatisfied with current policies and advocate for change. That shouldn’t be a bannable offense.

      • Monomate@lemm.eeEnglish
        11·
        3 hours ago

        I’m waiting for your counter-arguments. Or is ad hominem the only thing you know?

          • Monomate@lemm.eeEnglish
            1·
            3 hours ago

            From The Verge article:

            "Twitter says that it doesn’t know why the data suggests its algorithm favors right-leaning content, noting that it’s “a significantly more difficult question to answer as it is a product of the interactions between people and the platform.” However, it may not be a problem with Twitter’s algorithm specifically — Steve Rathje, a Ph.D. candidate who studies social media, published the results of his research that explains how divisive content about political outgroups is more likely to go viral.

            The Verge reached out to Rathje to get his thoughts about Twitter’s findings. “In our study, we also were interested in what kind of content is amplified on social media and found a consistent trend: negative posts about political outgroups tend to receive much more engagement on Facebook and Twitter,” Rathje stated. “In other words, if a Democrat is negative about a Republican (or vice versa), this kind of content will usually receive more engagement.”

            If we take Rathje’s research into account, this could mean that right-leaning posts on Twitter successfully spark more outrage, resulting in amplification."

            In other words: it’s not the algorithm that favors one side of the polical spectrum. It’s just that right-wing users know how to make more engaging posts. And that is dispite being sabotaged by moderation policies that favors left-leaning views.