Due to new internet platform regulations in Europe, Elon Musk, the owner of social media site X (previously Twitter), has made headlines lately by expressing interest in perhaps taking the service offline. In August of this year, the European Union unveiled the Digital Services Act (DSA), a series of regulations meant to address problems with user-targeting tactics, hazardous content, and data sharing with authorities.
European Union industry chief, Thierry Breton, urged Elon Musk to take action against disinformation on the social media platform following events like Hamas’ attack on Israel. Breton emphasized the need for compliance with the EU’s new online content rules, suggesting that the platform had been used for disseminating illegal content and disinformation within the EU.
Elon Musk responded to Breton’s concerns with a tweet that stated, “Our policy is that everything is open source and transparent, an approach that I know the EU supports. Please list the violations you allude to on X, so that the public can see them. Merci beaucoup.”
In turn, Breton highlighted the importance of Musk demonstrating a commitment to his platform’s policy and complying with the DSA. He made it clear that the EU would rigorously enforce the regulations, stating, “Vu, merci. You are well aware of your users’—and authorities’—reports on fake content and glorification of violence. Up to you to demonstrate that you walk the talk. My team remains at your disposal to ensure DSA compliance, which the EU will continue to enforce rigorously.”
This exchange between Elon Musk and Thierry Breton underscores the growing challenges faced by tech platforms in complying with evolving regulatory frameworks around the world. Whether X remains in Europe or takes a different course of action will undoubtedly be closely watched, as it has the potential to impact not only the platform’s European users but also the broader discussion about freedom of speech, content moderation, and the responsibilities of social media platforms.