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.world
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    11 hours ago

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

    • shalafi@lemmy.world
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      8 hours ago

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

      • Krik@lemmy.dbzer0.com
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        4 hours ago

        As of now it’s just a small thing. If X keeps denying the requested information the penalty can increase quickly by for example by setting a daily late fee of several million Euro. If X still doesn’t comply they can raid their German offices for the requested information. If X still doesn’t comply they can shut X down in Germany, maybe even in all of EU to force compliance.

        But usually you don’t need the extreme stuff.

    • reksas
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      9 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.