by Lara Graulich, Content Manager

Welcome to another edition of Red Hot Social Headlines! 🌡️ Let’s dive in… 

This week we cover X becoming the first very large online platform (VLOP) to face a preliminary finding of breaching the EU’s Digital Services Act (DSA); Elon Musk’s endorsement of Trump as misinformation spreads on X; Meta’s lifting of Trump’s restrictions on Facebook and Instagram; and Instagram’s restrictions on promoting variable image size carousels. 

Europe Confirms First Clutch of DSA Grievances on Elon Musk’s X

X has become the first very large online platform (VLOP) to face a preliminary finding of breaching the EU’s Digital Services Act (DSA). Penalties for confirmed breaches of the rule can reach up to 6% of global annual turnover. 

Key Details: 

  • A key goal of the DSA is to drive accountability on Big Tech through transparency. 
  • The EU has reached preliminary conclusions on three grievances:
    • It found the design of X’s blue check is an illegal deceptive design that may mislead users. 
    • X’s ad repository does not comply with DSA requirements. 
    • X failed to facilitate access to data for researchers. 
  • X now has the chance to respond to the Commission’s findings. The outcome of the investigation will likely depend on how it responds. 

Key Takeaways: If the Commission concludes X has infringed its rules, the platform could be handed a hefty penalty and compliance order. X’s reputation has already been shaken worldwide, and this could induce further damage in EU countries. Brands should keep an eye out to see if the EU’s decision influences further exodus from the app to X alternatives. 

Learn more about X’s breaches of the DSA HERE. 

Instagram Is Restricting the Promotion of Variable Image Size Carousels

Instagram carousels that include full-screen-size images will not be eligible for boosting amid the release of the platform’s new variable image size carousels. 

Key Details: 

  • Last month, Instagram released a new feature allowing users to upload carousel collections of different-sized images. 
  • Users are finding when a full-screen (9:16) aspect ratio is included in their carousels, the post cannot be boosted, and they receive an error message. 
  • This appears to be the only restriction on this new carousel format, with traditional carousels still able to utilize the boosted post feature.

Key Takeaways: If brands would like to use this type of carousel format, they should keep in mind they will not be able to boost. If brands would like to boost their carousel posts, we suggest keeping the content to still images in the standard 1:1 or 4:5 aspect ratio. 

Read more about the new Instagram carousel update HERE. 

Meta Lifts All Restrictions on Trump’s Accounts Ahead of U.S. Election

Last Friday, Meta removed all restrictions on the Facebook and Instagram accounts of former U.S. President Donald Trump. 

Key Details: 

  • Trump’s Meta accounts were originally suspended in January 2021, in the wake of the Capitol Riots. 
  • The removal of these restrictions now allows Trump to resume his full social media advertising and promotion program in the wake of the November election in the U.S.
  • The restrictions have been lifted surrounding the formal nominations of all presidential candidates in the U.S. Meta stated: “To allow political expression, we believe that the American people should be able to hear from the nominees for President on the same basis.” 

Key Takeaways: Trump’s full reinstatement on Meta accounts (Facebook in particular) could be significant considering the large amount of money the previous Trump campaign put behind Facebook ads. The potential for further political division and misinformation on the app could grow in the wake of this decision. 

Read more about Trump’s removal of Meta restrictions HERE. 

Elon Musk Endorses Trump as Conspiracy Theories of Shooting Run Amok on X

After the assassination attempt on former President Trump last week, X CEO Elon Musk took to the platform to endorse his candidacy. Meanwhile, misinformation on the shooting runs rampant on the platform. 

Key Details: 

  • In the wake of the shooting, X has promoted tags such as “false flag” and “staged” under its trending topics. Several posts have also claimed that Trump faked the assassination attempt or that the shooter was sent by President Biden. There is evidence of neither of these claims (more information in The Verge).
  • Other social media platforms responded more effectively to misinformation. YouTube for example, highlighted news clips and steered search results toward credible news reports (more information in The Verge).
  • X’s official account for the platform put out a post saying “global town square” — a reference to Musk’s initial goal of free speech absolutism when buying Twitter in 2022.

Key Takeaways: There is a lack of moderation when it comes to the rampant U.S. election misinformation spreading on X. Because of moderation issues, several high-paying advertisers have left the site. Brands should continue to be wary when it comes to sharing paid advertisements on X. 

Learn more about Musk’s endorsement of Trump and the misinformation spreading on X HERE.