Elon Musk threatened by the EU with sanctions over the spread of misinformation and violence on X Platform.
The European Commission has threatened social media platform X (Twitter) with sanctions.
The EU called on CEO Elon Musk to provide clarifications within 24 hours over the spread of the misinformation.
And also the violent images linked to the conflict in Gaza.
“Following the attacks launched by Hamas on Israel.
We have information that your platform users are spreading illegal and misleading content within the European Union,”
Said Thierry Breton, Commissioner for Digital Affairs, in a letter seen by AFP.
Hours later, the billionaire responded directly on his network, saying:
“Our policy is to be as open and transparent as possible, which is an approach that I know the EU supports.”
“Our policy is to be as open and transparent as possible, which is an approach that I know the EU supports.”
Social networks have been flooded with violent images since the start of the war in Gaza on Saturday morning.
Such as video recordings of hostages, corpses and filmed killings.
As well as attempts to mislead, posing a challenge to the platforms’ content moderation teams.
“We have received reports from credible sources about content that may be illegal.
This content was spreading on your network despite notifications from the competent authorities,”
Wrote the European Commission in his letter dated October 10.
Breton reminded Musk that “when you receive reports of illegal content in the European Union.
You must act quickly, seriously and objectively, and remove the content when justified.”
Breton is basing this on the new European legislation on digital services.
which was in force since the end of August for 19 major platforms.
After buying Twitter last year, Musk fired all of the content moderation teams.
He constantly affirms his vision of freedom of expression and his rejection of any “censorship”.
Although he insists that his platform respects the laws of each country in this area.
At the end of September, the European Commission expressed its concern about the rate of misinformation on Twitter.
Also it pointed to weak results recorded during tests conducted on a number of platforms.
Also it pointed to weak results recorded during tests conducted on a number of platforms.
Since last week, links and news articles have been shared on the platform.
They have spread as an image without a title or description.
Which could lead to a decline in the use of real news websites.
Musk himself has attracted criticism.
Due to encouraging nearly 160 million followers of him on the platform to follow the conflict between Israel and Hamas.
By following two accounts known for spreading false information.
Thierry Breton reminded the American CEO of his “very clear obligations” regarding content moderation.
“You must demonstrate great transparency and clarity with regard to the content that your terms of use allow.
And also apply your policies consistently and seriously,” the commission wrote.
This threat of sanctions against Twitter is a first in the European Union.
It highlights the commission’s concerns about the spread of misinformation and violent images on social platforms during armed conflicts.
Elon Musk faces a challenge in how to reconcile his vision of freedom of expression with the legal obligations that he has in the European Union.
He seems to be inclined to prioritize freedom of expression, which could lead to the spread of more misinformation and violent images on his platform.
In this case, an investigation will be conducted.
In order to determine whether the platform complies with the new strict rules.
The Commission said its next steps, which could include formal actions and sanctions, will be determined based on the platform’s responses.
Earlier, the platform removed hundreds of accounts linked to the Hamas movement.
And also removed or classified thousands of posts from the content since the attack on Israel, according to the CEO of the platform.
Read More:
Goodbye Twitter Bird logo, We Won’t See Twitter Logo Anymore.
Medical Tourism in the UAE Witnesses Rapid Growth.
World Green Economy Summit in Dubai Starts on 28 Nov
