Amnesty International released a significant report on Monday, revealing that X (previously known as Twitter) has become a breeding ground for technology-facilitated gender-based violence (TfGBV) against the LGBTQ+ community in Poland. This alarming situation has escalated since Elon Musk took over and relaxed the platform's Community Guidelines.

According to the report, the alteration of content policies under Musk's leadership has led to a surge in homophobic and transphobic content on X. Alia Al Ghussain, an Amnesty International Researcher specializing in technology and human rights, pointed out the platform's insufficient content moderation practices and lack of human rights diligence. This negligence has directly contributed to the abuses faced by Poland's LGBTQ+ individuals.

The research specifically noted that such toxic content is prevalent among accounts following politicians who oppose LGBTQ+ rights. Furthermore, the platform's algorithms, designed to enhance user engagement, disproportionately promote these harmful narratives to maximize interactions.

Amnesty International criticized X's business model, labeling it "surveillance-based" for its heavy reliance on extensive data collection to tailor and target advertisements, akin to other major social media networks.

One of the most striking findings in the report is the inadequate investment in Polish language content moderation. With only two Polish-speaking moderators tasked with managing the content for over 5.33 million users, the platform has struggled significantly to control the spread of TfGBV.

The report also accuses X of failing to comply with the European Union's Digital Services Act (DSA), which mandates that Very Large Online Platforms (VLOPs) rigorously identify and assess systemic risks that may arise from their operational and algorithmic designs. According to the DSA, these assessments should include potential human rights risks, ensuring the protection of fundamental rights such as human dignity, privacy, freedom of expression, and non-discrimination.

Amnesty International's findings highlight that X's current practices hinder the LGBTQ+ community's ability to express themselves freely, live without discrimination, and feel safe within Polish society. This report comes in the wake of the European Commission's ongoing investigation into X's compliance with the DSA, initiated in December 2023, with further inquiries into its recommender systems beginning in January 2025.

As the European Commission continues its scrutiny, Amnesty International urges that investigations should extend to how X manages the risks associated with TfGBV, emphasizing the need for urgent, comprehensive reforms to safeguard the rights and well-being of LGBTQ+ users on the platform.