A German appeals court has ordered social media platform X to provide researchers with access to public data related to Hungary’s upcoming April 12 parliamentary election. The decision marks a significant step in enforcing the European Union’s Digital Services Act, which requires large platforms to support transparency and independent oversight.
The Berlin Court of Appeal ruled that X must share information such as post reach and engagement metrics to allow vetted researchers to monitor risks including disinformation and election manipulation. The ruling takes immediate effect and cannot be appealed.
The case was brought by Democracy Reporting International and the Society for Civil Rights after they were previously denied similar access for Germany’s 2025 federal election. While a lower court had initially argued jurisdiction rested in Ireland, where X’s EU headquarters are based, the appeals court determined German courts could intervene when local research efforts were affected.
The decision is seen as a precedent for ensuring platforms comply with transparency obligations under EU law. It comes as Hungary’s political landscape remains competitive, with growing concerns about media bias and online influence campaigns.
Observers say the ruling may strengthen civil society efforts across Europe to hold digital platforms accountable and support independent election monitoring.
