EU report finds X platform responsible for 88% of European disinformation
A European Union report released in March 2026 identifies the social‑media platform X (formerly Twitter) as the primary conduit for online disinformation in Europe, accounting for 88% of 43,000 analysed cases. Telegram and Facebook were responsible for 3% and 2% respectively. The platform, bought by Elon Musk in 2022 and rebranded as X in 2023, saw a drastic cut in content‑moderation staff after the acquisition, which analysts say has amplified the spread of false content.
Research cited in the report links X’s algorithms to increased political polarization, noting a bias toward right‑wing and extremist material. Studies from Bocconi University and the London School of Economics highlight how the platform’s feed‑ranking promotes polarising posts, influencing public opinion during events such as the 2024 UK riots.
Regulatory responses have followed: in June 2026 the UK Attorney General prohibited the use of X by the Department of Justice, and the European Commission launched an investigation into X’s AI chatbot Grok for inadequate risk assessment, including concerns over deep‑fake pornography and antisemitic content. Despite the scrutiny, X remains heavily used, with about 561 million monthly active users worldwide, over 100 million in the United States, and 60.6% of users relying on it for news, although usage among American youths (18‑24) has fallen by 7%.
The findings underscore growing governmental concerns about the platform’s role in shaping public discourse and the need for stronger oversight of online misinformation.