X faces up to 6% of its annual turnover in fines as Irish regulators investigate it for possible violations

The Irish media regulator, Coimisiún na Meán, has formally launched an investigation into social media platform, X, over concerns that it may be in violation of the EU’s Digital Services Act (DSA). 

One of the aims of the DSA is to make online platforms more accountable and transparent by respecting users’ rights around content moderation. 

The Irish media regulator’s investigation stems from concerns that X might not be meeting the obligations of the DSA and that users have no way of seeking proper redress or appealing if they believe the moderation decisions are wrong.

The Irish Coimisiún na Meán investigates potential DSA violation 

According to Virkkunen, the Executive Vice-President of the European Commission for Technological Sovereignty, Security, and Democracy, the DSA requires platforms to enforce content moderation, but must have effective internal complaint-handling systems, where users have the right to appeal content moderation decisions. 

“While automated moderation is allowed, online platforms must be transparent about its use and accuracy,” Virkkunen added. 

Investigations by Coimisiún na Meán seek to determine if X’s internal complaint handling system meets the DSA’s regulatory standard or is in violation. 

The regulator has its investigations backed by various sources and a nonprofit HateAid, which had previously taken legal actions against X on behalf of a researcher who was repeatedly banned from the platform.

Financial stakes and broader implications for X

The investigation is the first under DSA by the Coimisiún na Meán, and violations could result in almost 6% of the company’s turnover. This is not the first social media platform the Irish regulators have gone for. TikTok got slammed with a €530 million penalty for violating the EU’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) in May 2025. And LinkedIn also got fined about €310 million for various regulatory breaches.

Beyond the immediate financial consequences, the investigation highlights the growing pressure on social media platforms to maintain both regulatory compliance and user trust in a regulatory environment that demands accountability for how content is managed and moderated.

Earlier this year, X came under scrutiny by the EU over whether the social media breached the bloc’s content laws. This scrutiny could prompt broader changes in X’s operational and content moderation policies. With increasing regulatory attention on social media giants worldwide, platforms must balance enforcing community standards while respecting users’ rights to fair treatment and transparent processes for contesting moderation actions.

This investigation is a clear indicator of the EU’s commitment to holding social media platforms accountable and ensuring that user protection measures are robust and enforceable. For Elon Musk’s X, the outcome will not only shape the company’s compliance posture but could also influence the wider industry’s approach to content moderation and regulatory cooperation across Europe.

As the investigation unfolds, stakeholders within the tech industry and policy circles will be watching closely. The findings and any subsequent enforcement actions by the Irish media regulator will have ripple effects on how digital platforms govern online speech and user interactions under the DSA framework.

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