The European Union (EU) issued a warning to the owner of X (formerly Twitter), Elon Musk, due to the alleged "spread of illegal content and disinformation" on the social network about the massacre carried out by Hamas terrorists against Israeli citizens. :
Following the terrorist attacks carried out by Hamas against Israel, we have indications that its platform is being used to spread illegal content and disinformation in the EU.
In a letter addressed to Musk (and published on X), Thierry Breton, European Commissioner for the Internal Market, argued that "illegal content" is being disseminated on the platform, and even alleged that there are "old images" that are being "reused":
Public media and civil society organizations widely report cases of false and manipulated images and facts circulating on their platform in the EU, such as reused old images from unrelated armed conflicts or military images that actually come from video games . This appears to be patently false or misleading information.
Following the terrorist attacks by Hamas against 🇮🇱, we have indications of X/Twitter being used to disseminate illegal content & disinformation in the EU.
Urgent letter to @elonmusk on #DSA obligations ⤵️ pic.twitter.com/avMm1LHq54
— Thierry Breton (@ThierryBreton) October 10, 2023
Breton cited some of the new rules within the EU "Digital Services Law" that regulate content on social networks: "Let me remind you that the Digital Services Law establishes very precise obligations in relation to content moderation."
In addition, he asked Musk to guarantee "a quick, accurate and complete response." It is also required to have "proportionate and effective mitigation measures to address risks to public safety and civic discourse arising from disinformation."
Battle of answers for X
Musk responded unofficially via X, stating that the social network's information policy is that "everything is open source and transparent" and asked the commissioner to list "the breaches he alludes to in X so the public can see them."
Our policy is for everything to be open source and transparent, an approach I know the EU supports. Please list the violations you refer to in 𝕏, so that the public can see them.
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 that the public can see them.
Merci beaucoup.
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) October 10, 2023
The commissioner responded to Musk claiming that he himself is aware of "the complaints from your users - and the authorities - about false content and glorification of violence." And he asked him to "show that he does what he says."
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.
— Thierry Breton (@ThierryBreton) October 10, 2023
Breton added that Musk must ensure that the "X systems are effective" and stated that the company's managers or officers must be "in contact with the relevant law enforcement authorities and Europol, and make sure to respond promptly to their requests."
If you do not comply with the request, the owner of X could face a legal battle that, among some consequences, would require paying 6% of your income for X or could lead to a closure of the social network in Europe: "I remind you that after the opening of a possible investigation and the confirmation of non-compliance, sanctions may be imposed."
