The European Union (EU) has threatened to ban Twitter if it does not comply with the European standards for content moderation of hatred a from disinformation In Internet. The European Commissioner for the Internal Market, the French Thierry Bretonhas warned the new owner of the red social, Elon Muskduring a video meeting that they held this Wednesday, according to what people familiar with the conversation have told the Financial Times.
Breton, in charge of ensuring compliance with the digital laws of the UEhas demanded the richest man on the planet comply with the Digital Services Act (DSA), the pioneering measure adopted last month with which Brussels seeks to regulate the activity of technology giants. Starting in 2024, this law will force these companies to remove illegal content, but also to stop disinformation campaigns or personalized ads based on users’ political beliefs.
Among the requests transferred this Wednesday to Musk are abandoning the “arbitrary” approach with the tycoon who announced the reinstatement of thousands of users whose accounts had been suspended – such as that of Donald Trump– For violating platform policies such as the dissemination of hate messages or false information. Initially, the mogul promised that he would create an “independent moderation board” to decide which accounts he reinstated, an option he ultimately ruled out.
Musk vows to abide by the law
Breton and other senior European officials have also reportedly called on Musk to agree to an “extensive independent audit” of the platform next year. According to the FT, the new owner of Twitter has promised to comply with the DSA, a regulation that he would have described as “very sensible”.
Still, the demands from Brussels point to a regulatory battle over the future of Twitter and its governance. On November 23, without going any further, the social network stopped moderating and prohibiting hoaxes about the covid.
On October 28, just after Musk’s purchase of Twitter was made official, the French politician warned the magnate that all future changes should comply with European legislation. “In Europe the bird will fly by our rules,” he tweeted. Brussels was serious.