Ireland’s Regulator Probes X for DSA Moderation Violations

The Irish media regulator Coimisiún na Meán has launched a formal DSA investigation into social media platform X, examining potential violations of EU content moderation rules and user appeal rights. The probe assesses X’s transparency in automated content decisions and the effectiveness of its internal complaint-handling systems. Regulators are concerned that inadequate redress mechanisms limit users’ ability to challenge removals. Under the DSA, confirmed breaches could result in fines up to 6% of X’s annual global turnover — over $300 million based on estimated 2024 revenues of $5 billion. This marks Ireland’s first major enforcement action against a very large online platform, drawing on complaints from nonprofit HateAid and EU data showing 70% of DSA complaints relate to moderation transparency. X may need to overhaul its moderation policies, transparency disclosures, and appeal processes. The probe highlights increasing EU regulation of social media governance and its impact on platform accountability.