EU Commissioner Breton warns Musk of penalties for illegal content on X
Elon Musk Twitter account is seen in this illustration taken, July 24, 2023. (Reuters Photo)
In a growing dispute between U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer and X’s owner Elon Musk, the European Union Commission has stepped in, sending a formal warning to Musk regarding the spread of harmful content on his social media platform.
EU Commission issues warning to Musk
Thierry Breton, the European Commissioner responsible for the internal market, took to X to remind Musk of his legal obligations under the EU’s Digital Services Act (DSA).
Breton stressed that Musk must ensure that all proportional and effective mitigation measures are in place to prevent the amplification of harmful content, especially in connection with significant events such as live broadcasts.
Breton warned that failure to implement these measures could increase X’s risk profile, potentially leading to negative impacts on public discourse and public safety.
Concerns over content linked to political events
Breton’s letter specifically highlighted the risks associated with the spread of content that could incite violence, hatred, and racism, especially in the context of significant political and social events, including discussions and interviews related to elections. The EU Commission is closely monitoring these potential risks across the union.
Potential consequences for non-compliance
In the letter, Breton did not shy away from mentioning that additional measures could be taken against X if deemed necessary. This comes after Musk recently targeted Starmer in his posts, criticizing the U.K.’s immigration policies and warning of an “inevitable civil war.”
Background: Musk’s controversial statements
The tension escalated when Musk, an American billionaire, took to X to criticize the U.K.’s immigration policies, making inflammatory statements such as “Civil war is inevitable.”
These remarks have drawn significant attention and criticism, further intensifying the dispute between Musk and Starmer.
