The EU is taking a tougher line against tech billionaire Elon Musk and his social plattform X.

The EU Commission is demanding that X disclose the algorithms used. In addition, the Commission wants to know how fact-checking and dissemination are handled.

This is because X does not allow so-called independent fact-checkers to decide what is truth on the platform, and has instead introduced the possibility for other users to post corrective comments that show a different perception of reality (community notes).

Now Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg has decided to introduce similar practices for his platforms Facebook and Instagram, which the EU strongly disapproves of.

This could possibly be because so-called fact-checkers are loyal to the current truths promoted by the authorities, both in the EU and in Norway, where we have lived with our own fact-checker Faktisk.no for a few years.

Recently, the head of Faktisk.no, Kristoffer Egeberg, changed his workplace to PST (the Norwegian Police Security Service). His replacement, Stian Eisenträger, came from the position of editor-in-chief of Forsvarets forum (the Norwegian Defence Forum). This is the official media for our armed forces.

The new requirements are part of the investigation into whether X has violated the regulations in the EU’s draconic Digital Service Act (DSA).

– We are determined to ensure that all platforms operating in the EU respect our laws, which aim to make the online environment fair, safe and democratic, said EU Digital Commissioner Henna Virkkunen in a press release.

Norways secretary for free speech won’t accept free speech, promises Facebook tough fight

Musk has recently made a number of attacks on European politicians on X, most notably the UK Labour government, and has praised the German Alternative für Deutschland (AfD) party, saying they are the only party that can save Germany.

EU Commission spokesperson Thomas Regnier, however, argues that this has not played a role. But Musk just says “America First, Always”.</p

– These steps are taken completely independently of political considerations or specific events, he says.

However, one gets the feeling that the EU is in free fall. Success is uncertain, but entertainment is guaranteed!

Success is uncertain, but entertainment is guaranteed! ✨
pic.twitter.com/nn3PiP8XwG

— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) January 16, 2025

Germany’s outgoing Chancellor Olaf Scholz said on Friday that Elon Musk threatens democracies in Europe. EU politicians talk just like the Democrats in the US: Democracy means a one-party state. The new Soviet Union is emerging, The Enemy is Within Our Gates.

Musk has recently launched verbal attacks on both Scholz and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer.

A number of EU politicians have written to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen expressing concern that Musk is attempting to interfere in European politics.

British Labour sent 100 representatives to the US to help Kamala Harris in her election campaign, thankfully to no avail. The political leadership in the EU (and Norway) has been highly critical of Donald Trump for years. This is so widespread that even the leader of the so called right wing Progressive Parti (FrP) Sylvi Listhaug said before the election that she would have voted for the Democrats.

As of Monday, many European politicians will probably regret it. Trump will hopefully start a whole new world order. Here in Budapest, the mood is one of celebration, even among those who call themselves social democrats.