Researchers win a legal battle against the platform formerly known as Twitter, securing crucial access to social media data to probe potential election interference.

Summary

A German court ruled that Elon Musk’s X must immediately provide researchers with data on politically related content ahead of Germany’s Feb. 23 election.

The lawsuit, filed by Democracy Reporting International and the Society for Civil Rights, accused X of blocking efforts to track election interference.

The ruling enforces the EU’s Digital Services Act (DSA), requiring major platforms to grant researcher access. It also orders X to pay legal costs and imposes a €6,000 procedural fine.

The decision sets a legal precedent, but it remains unclear if X will appeal.

  • Stovetop@lemmy.worldEnglish
    33·
    5 hours ago

    Even 1000x that fine would just be a rounding error to him. What gives with the low-ball punishment?

    • shalafi@lemmy.worldEnglish
      6·
      2 hours ago

      Legal penalties are often (mostly?) a set monetary amount. We need percentage penalties.

    • reksas@sopuli.xyzEnglish
      4·
      3 hours ago

      propably just doing things by the book without thinking or their legal system doesnt have a way to fine billionaires so they just let the bastard go without punishment.