Elon Musk’s management of X sparks significant controversy, drawing sharp criticism from a top EU official.
- Věra Jourová, EU’s Vice President, accuses Musk of being a ‘promoter of evil’ for enabling harmful content on X.
- The criticism focuses on the relaxation of content moderation rules under Musk’s leadership since 2022.
- EU threatens fines against X for potentially violating the Digital Services Act (DSA).
- Musk refutes accusations, hinting at a ‘secret deal’ offered by the EU, which the bloc denies.
Elon Musk has become a central figure in a fierce debate over online moderation due to his management of X, the platform formerly known as Twitter. This contentious issue reached new heights when Věra Jourová, a senior European Union official, branded Musk a “promoter of evil.” Jourová, who oversees EU’s initiatives on counteracting online misinformation and hate speech, accuses Musk of enabling the dissemination of harmful content, such as antisemitic remarks, through the social media platform.
Her statements, made while speaking to Politico, underscore frustrations with X’s content moderation policies, which have reportedly become more lenient under Musk’s leadership since 2022. Jourová highlighted X’s role as a significant hub for spreading antisemitism, raising concerns about the platform’s effectiveness in combating hate speech. Particular criticism was directed at the decision to introduce paid blue-tick verification, a move believed to exacerbate the spread of misinformation, thereby challenging EU social media regulations.
The situation has intensified tensions between Musk and the EU, as the European Commission considers enforcing penalties against X for non-compliance with the Digital Services Act (DSA). This legislation governs online platforms, and Jourová’s comments suggest potential regulatory breaches by X.
In response to the EU’s stance, Musk has claimed that Brussels extended a ‘secret deal’ to avoid financial penalties, a notion the EU has strongly denied. This clash forms part of a broader and ongoing confrontation concerning Musk’s oversight of X. The company has been accused of failing to adhere to advertising transparency requirements and hosting content promoting Hamas, although formal charges have yet to be filed.
Furthermore, Musk is reportedly contemplating blocking access to X within the European Union, a move that could significantly escalate the dispute. Such an action would profoundly impact the operational dynamics of online platforms in Europe, under the EU’s stringent regulatory frameworks. With upcoming EU regulations likely to impose stricter oversight, this discord between Musk and Brussels shows little sign of abating.
The ongoing clash between Elon Musk and the EU highlights a broader struggle over the regulation of online platforms.
