The European Commission recently sent a warning to X Corp. owner Elon Musk and CEO Linda Yaccarino. The commission expressed concerns over the spread of illegal content, including incitements to violence and hate speech, on X’s social media platform. This warning could potentially lead to penalties and restrictions being imposed on the company in Europe.
Thierry Breton, European commissioner for the internal market, wrote a letter addressing recent events and the planned broadcast of a live conversation between a US presidential candidate and Musk on the X platform. In the letter, Breton highlighted the risks associated with disseminating content that could incite violence, hate, and racism during major political or societal events worldwide. He urged X to improve the effectiveness of their systems and report the measures taken to his team promptly.
Yaccarino’s Response to the Warning
Yaccarino responded to the letter by calling it an unprecedented attempt to extend European laws to political activities in the US. She criticized the notion that European citizens needed guidance on interpreting conversations and drawing their conclusions. This response highlights the tension between X Corp. and the European Commission regarding the regulation of content on social media platforms.
The Role of the EU’s Digital Services Act
Breton reminded Musk of the due diligence obligations outlined in the EU’s Digital Services Act (DSA). This legislation requires social networks and streaming media platforms to prevent the spread of hate speech and other harmful content. X Corp. is under investigation for potential breaches of this law, and the EU is prepared to use its regulatory tools to protect citizens from serious harm.
The riots in the U.K. were triggered by misinformation that spread on X and other social media platforms, falsely identifying the perpetrator of attacks as an asylum-seeker. Musk’s incendiary comments about the situation in the U.K., including suggestions of an impending civil war, have faced criticism from British officials. Musk’s dissemination of fake headlines and inflammatory remarks have added fuel to the ongoing debate over regulating social media content.
Challenges Faced by X Corp.
X Corp. is considered a Very Large Online Platform with over 300 million users worldwide, one-third of whom are based in the EU. The company is legally obligated to comply with European laws, including the DSA. The ongoing investigation into X’s compliance with the DSA highlights the challenges faced by tech companies in navigating complex regulatory environments.
The EU has enforcement mechanisms in place to address illegal content on social media platforms like X. These measures include changes to recommender systems, increased monitoring of keywords or hashtags, and fines of up to 6% of a company’s global annual revenue. The EU’s ability to penalize companies for violating the DSA underscores the importance of regulatory compliance in the digital age.
The warning issued by the European Commission to X Corp. and its leadership underscores the growing scrutiny of social media platforms and their role in shaping public discourse. The tensions between regulatory authorities and tech companies highlight the complexities of governing online content in an interconnected world. As governments around the world grapple with the challenges of regulating digital platforms, the case of X Corp. serves as a reminder of the responsibilities that come with operating in the digital realm.