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German Activists Sue X Over Lack of Election Influence Data

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Two activist groups have filed a lawsuit against Elon Musk’s social media platform X, accusing it of violating European law by refusing to provide necessary data to track disinformation ahead of Germany’s national election on February 23. The Society for Civil Rights (GFF) and Democracy Reporting International (DRI) claim that X is not offering systematic access to important information, such as the reach of posts, likes, and shares, which other platforms have made available for monitoring.

According to Michael Meyer-Resende of DRI, the groups have the right to access this data under the European Union’s Digital Services Act. Despite requests, X has not granted access to the data needed for tracking public debates on the platform.

The lawsuit comes amid heightened concerns over online disinformation ahead of elections in Europe, especially after the controversial presidential election in Romania in 2024, which was allegedly influenced by a Russian-driven social media campaign, though Moscow denied any involvement.

The situation is further complicated by Musk’s endorsement of Germany’s far-right political party, Alternative for Germany (AfD), and his continued influence over the platform. Since taking control of Twitter (now X), Musk has limited access to data for researchers, charging for what was previously free, raising concerns about transparency and potential misuse of the platform in democratic processes.

 

Elon Musk’s Hand Gesture During Trump’s Inauguration Sparks Controversy

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Billionaire Elon Musk’s hand gesture during a speech at the celebration for President Donald Trump’s inauguration on Monday has drawn scrutiny online, with some comparing it to a Nazi salute. However, the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) and other commentators defended Musk, describing the gesture as one of enthusiasm rather than a symbol of hate.

Key Details:

  • The Gesture: Musk, speaking at the Capital One Arena in Washington, gestured with his right hand over his heart and then extended his arm upwards at an angle, palm down. The movements quickly gained attention from online critics, with some questioning whether it resembled a Nazi salute.
  • Musk’s Response: Musk dismissed the criticism as a “tired” attack, attributing the gesture to a moment of enthusiasm. He responded on his social media platform X, suggesting that critics were overreacting to a simple expression of excitement.
  • Antisemitism Concerns: While some online users made the Nazi comparison, the ADL said the gesture seemed awkward but not intentional in its association with Nazi symbolism. The ADL acknowledged that people are on edge but argued the context showed Musk’s gesture was simply a display of enthusiasm.
  • Political Scrutiny: The controversy also touched on Musk’s political positions, particularly his support for the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party, which has been labeled extremist by German security services. Charlotte Knobloch, president of the Jewish community in Munich, described the gesture as “highly irritating,” focusing on Musk’s political affiliations rather than the gesture itself.
  • Social Media Reactions: Some users on X defended Musk, arguing that he was simply expressing heartfelt gratitude, and criticized the online scrutiny of his actions.

German TikTok Users Show Greater Sympathy for China, Russia, Poll Reveals

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Germans who rely on TikTok for news are less critical of China and Russia and more skeptical of climate change and vaccine effectiveness compared to consumers of traditional media, according to a recent survey by Allensbach, commissioned by a foundation linked to Germany’s liberal Free Democrats.

The poll highlights that only 28.1% of TikTok users fully agreed that China is a dictatorship, compared to 57% of newspaper readers and 56.5% of public TV viewers. Similarly, just 13.6% of TikTok users supported Western backing for Ukraine in its war against Russia, a view shared by 40.2% of national newspaper readers.

The findings come amid U.S. debates on whether to enforce a ban on TikTok over national security concerns, adding weight to arguments that the Chinese-owned app spreads misinformation that could undermine democratic societies.

Key Findings:

  • Perception of China: TikTok users are less likely to view China as a dictatorship.
  • Views on Russia: Fewer TikTok users see Russia’s invasion of Ukraine as illegal or support Germany aiding Kyiv.
  • Skepticism on Vaccines and Climate Change: Only 69% of TikTok users under 29 agreed that vaccines saved millions of lives, compared to 71% of all under-29s.
  • Distrust in Media: TikTok users are more likely to distrust traditional Western media and to believe the German government spreads misinformation, while being less critical of disinformation from China and Russia.

These attitudes align with broader trends among younger Germans, who are TikTok’s core demographic and have shown increased support for the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party in recent elections.

Disinformation Concerns

The survey also raises alarms about foreign actors, especially Russia, spreading disinformation via social media platforms to advance their agendas. Researchers cited parallels with Romania, where a pro-Russian outsider gained significant traction through social media campaigns in a presidential election later annulled.

Sabine Leutheusser-Schnarrenberger, deputy chair of the foundation behind the survey, emphasized TikTok’s influence, saying, “Young people are far more vulnerable to information, and TikTok plays a decisive role. We mustn’t allow Chinese and Russian misinformation to spread in our midst.”

TikTok’s parent company, ByteDance, has not commented on the survey.