sLedziennicasanrp_KJJ
Amnesty International released a report on Monday revealing that X (formerly Twitter) has facilitated technology-facilitated gender-based violence (TfGBV) against LGBTQ+ individuals in Poland. The findings indicate that following the ownership change by Elon Musk, X has significantly relaxed its Community Guidelines, resulting in an environment rife with hateful content directed at the LGBTQ+ community.
The report emphasizes the urgent need for comprehensive reforms within the platform. Alia Al Ghussain, a researcher and advisor on technology and human rights at Amnesty International, stated that “through inadequate content moderation practices and a lack of human rights due diligence, X has contributed to human abuses against members of Poland’s LGBTI community.”
The investigation uncovered a troubling prevalence of homophobic and transphobic content on X, particularly among accounts linked to politicians who oppose LGBTQ+ rights. The platform’s algorithm, which drives the “For You” feed, prioritizes engagement, often amplifying harmful content that garners more interaction. Amnesty International classified X’s business model as “surveillance-based,” relying on intrusive data collection to target advertisements effectively.
Lack of adequate resources for Polish language content moderation has exacerbated the situation. The report highlights that only two Polish-speaking content moderators cover a population of 37.45 million people and 5.33 million active users on the platform. This significant shortfall has resulted in inadequate management of TfGBV content.
Concerns Over Compliance with EU Regulations
Amnesty International argues that X has not met the requirements set by the European Union’s Digital Services Act (DSA). Article 34(1) of the DSA mandates that providers of Very Large Online Platforms (VLOPs) must identify and assess systemic risks stemming from their services. The article specifically calls for consideration of systemic human rights risks, including those related to dignity, privacy, and non-discrimination.
The report asserts that X’s operational shortcomings have compromised the ability of LGBTQ+ individuals to express themselves freely and live without discrimination in Polish society. The European Commission previously initiated an investigation against X under the DSA in December 2023, requiring the platform to make changes to its recommender system by January 2025. Amnesty International insists that these investigations must scrutinize X’s capacity to effectively address the risks associated with TfGBV.
The findings presented by Amnesty International underline the pressing need for platforms like X to implement responsible content moderation practices that protect vulnerable communities. The organization calls for immediate action to ensure that all users, particularly those from marginalized groups, can navigate online spaces safely and without fear of harassment.
