Brussels has warned Elon Musk that the Twitter he owns must comply with new EU digital rules, or risk hefty fines or even a ban. The message sets the stage for a global regulatory battle over the future of the social networking platform.
Thierry Breton, the EU’s internal market commissioner, told the Financial Times that Elon Musk must follow rules on moderating illegal and harmful content online after Twitter accepted the billionaire’s $44 billion offer. .
Breton said: “We welcome everyone. We are open, but on our terms. At least we know what to say to him: ‘Elon, there are rules. You are welcome, but these are our rules. your rules that apply here'”.
Musk’s private deal with Twitter could turn Tesla’s chief executive, who has used the platform to attack regulators and critics, into a social media baron as millions of people rely on the San Francisco platform for their information.
He said on Monday that “freedom of expression is the foundation of a functioning democracy” and described Twitter as “the digital city square where matters vital to the future of humanity are discussed.”
The comments by Breton, one of Europe’s most influential digital regulators, come just days after Brussels passed new legislation that will force big techs to more aggressively police online content.
In pitching his bid to Twitter, Musk outlined plans to loosen the platform’s content moderation policies, describing himself as a “free speech absolutist.” Republican politicians in the United States hope the deal could pave the way for Donald Trump to return to Twitter – the former US president has been banned for repeatedly violating its rules on hate speech and disinformation.
But Breton said he wanted to offer a “real check” of Musk’s plans for less stringent moderation. The EU commissioner, who was instrumental in negotiating the new Digital Services Act, warned that Twitter’s lack of compliance could lead to the platform being banned in Europe.
He said: “Anyone who wants to benefit from this market will have to abide by our rules. [do Twitter] must ensure that if it operates in Europe it will have to comply with obligations including moderation, open algorithms, freedom of expression, transparency in rules, obligations to comply with our own rules on hate speech, vindictive pornography [e] harassment”.
“If [o Twitter] not complying with our law, there will be sanctions -6% of revenue and, if it continues, ban on operating in Europe,” he added.
The Digital Services Act requires Twitter to disclose to regulators how it is handling content such as disinformation and war propaganda. The groundbreaking rules are part of a larger effort by Brussels to curb the power of major online platforms, including Facebook and Google.
Last month, the EU also unveiled the Digital Markets Act, aimed at curbing the power of big tech companies, including banning platforms that promote their own services at the expense of rivals.
I have over 8 years of experience in the news industry. I have worked for various news websites and have also written for a few news agencies. I mostly cover healthcare news, but I am also interested in other topics such as politics, business, and entertainment. In my free time, I enjoy writing fiction and spending time with my family and friends.
