Elon Musk’s ownership of Twitter, now known as X, is causing a shift in the platform’s stance on free speech and government requests. While Musk has emphasized the importance of protecting free speech within legal boundaries, Twitter’s compliance with government requests for user information is becoming more prevalent in Germany. Under German law, hate speech is strictly regulated, and Twitter, now under Musk’s ownership, has been providing prosecutors with user data to aid in hate crime investigations. This change in approach has resulted in an increase in the number of cases pursued by German prosecutors.
Previously, Twitter would evaluate and push back against government requests that posed a threat to free speech or dissidents. However, compliance has now become the easier option for the company. Musk’s acquisition of Twitter has also raised concerns among human rights advocates, who argue that cooperation with foreign governments is becoming more prevalent under Musk’s ownership. Reports show that Twitter’s compliance with government requests for censorship and surveillance has increased, particularly in countries such as Turkey, Germany, and India.
In the US, Twitter has looser regulations regarding speech due to First Amendment protections. However, under Musk’s ownership, the platform has faced criticism for an increase in hate speech and misinformation. Researchers have found that Twitter’s algorithms amplify hate speech, and a study by the European Commission revealed that the platform’s new policies have led to the spread of Russian propaganda and hate speech. Musk has responded to these claims by stating that he does not see the pro-Russia propaganda on the platform.
The increased compliance with government requests in Germany by X has raised questions about the platform’s priorities. Critics argue that while Twitter goes to great lengths to protect the data of individuals like Donald Trump, it seems less concerned about vulnerable activists in authoritarian regimes who rely on the platform for voicing dissent. German prosecutors attribute the increase in data sharing to the acquisition and restructuring of the company under Musk’s ownership. Twitter has scaled down operations since Musk took over, leading to chaos and confusion within the company. Transparency reports on government requests have also ceased publication.
Germany has strict laws against hate speech to safeguard against anti-democratic tendencies and protect elected officials. However, policing online hate crimes has become challenging due to online anonymity. In response, Germany introduced an online hate law in 2017, requiring companies to delete reported hate speech within 24 hours. Twitter’s compliance with hate speech regulations has become more apparent after the 2019 murder of conservative politician Walter Lübcke by a neo-Nazi. Hate speech campaigns have been identified as a threat to democracy, leading to the prosecution of individuals spreading hate speech online.
While Musk’s ownership of Twitter has brought attention to the platform’s approach to free speech and government requests, it has also raised concerns about the company’s cooperation with foreign governments and its impact on online discourse. Critics argue that the ease of compliance for Twitter may come at the expense of free speech and dissent. The balance between protecting free speech and following the law remains a complex issue for social media platforms worldwide.