Number Of Platform X Content Moderators Criticized In EU Online Content Rules

JAKARTA - Elon Musk's social media platform X has been criticized for only having 2,294 content moderators to ensure users comply with EU's (EU) online content rules. This number is far less than Google and TikTok. This was conveyed by senior European Commission officials on Friday, November 10.

The adoption of the Digital Service Act (DSA) by the EU requires 19 very large online platforms and 2 very large online search engines, including Google, X, TikTok, Apple, Meta Platforms, and Microsoft, to do more to tackle illegal and harmful content on their platforms.

Platform X drew concern after Elon Musk dismissed many employees in charge of monitoring and content regulation amid disinformation dissemination on the platform.

Based on reports submitted by the company to the EU in September, the number of content moderators X was 2,294 compared to 16,974 on Google's YouTube, 7,319 on Google Play, and 6,125 on TikTok, senior Commission officials said, who spoke on condition of anonymity.

The regulator hopes that X will feel pressure to increase the number of content moderators to be level with its competitors. "There is an important aspect of DSA, namely the pressure of colleagues," the official said, quoted by VOI from Reuters.

The commission has more than doubled the number of staff enforcing the DSA to 120 from the previous 50, the official said. There are concerns that EU executives will not be able to handle a number of Big Tech executives and lawyers, which could result in a law enforcement gap.

Starting February 17 next year, all intermediary service providers must comply with DSA, not just 19 services mentioned in April.