Elon Musk, the CEO of X (formerly Twitter), has been cautioned by the European Commission after the platform was found to have the highest ratio of disinformation posts compared to other large social media platforms. This warning comes as the European Union (EU) recently implemented sweeping new laws on disinformation. Although X has chosen to leave the EU’s code of practice, which ensured that social media platforms complied with the new laws, the EU has made it clear that the regulations will still apply to X and that they could potentially face a ban.
European Commissioner Věra Jourová, who is responsible for enforcing the new anti-disinformation code, emphasized that leaving the code of practice does not exempt Musk or X from their obligations. She stated, “Mr. Musk knows he is not off the hook by leaving the code of practice. There are obligations under the hard law. So my message for Twitter/X is you have to comply. We will be watching what you do.”
The EU’s report on disinformation was the first comprehensive analysis of posts considered illegal across the EU under the Digital Services Act (DSA), which was implemented in August. Facebook, Google, TikTok, and Microsoft were all included in the analysis and had previously signed up to the EU’s code of practice. However, X chose not to participate and therefore did not provide information regarding areas such as fact-checking.
The report revealed that X, followed by Facebook, had the highest ratio of disinformation posts among all the platforms analyzed. This finding is concerning to the EU, especially in light of the upcoming European elections, as there is a fear of interference from Russian hackers. This news comes shortly after the incident where Donald Trump Jr.’s account on X was hacked, with the hackers proclaiming his father’s death and posting explicit messages.
The European Commission made it clear that X must comply with the EU’s regulations on disinformation, regardless of whether they are part of the code of practice. The consequences of non-compliance could be severe for the platform, including the possibility of being banned from operating within the EU. Therefore, it is imperative for X to address the issue of disinformation and work towards mitigating its spread on the platform.
The proliferation of disinformation poses a significant threat to the integrity of online platforms and democratic processes. Social media platforms like X play a vital role in shaping public opinion, and it is crucial for them to take responsibility for combatting disinformation. By implementing robust fact-checking mechanisms and working closely with authorities, platforms can contribute to the protection of users from harmful and misleading content.
Elon Musk and X have been warned by the European Commission regarding the high ratio of disinformation posts on the platform. Despite leaving the code of practice, the EU’s regulations on disinformation still apply to X, and failure to comply could lead to severe consequences. It is essential for platforms like X to prioritize the fight against disinformation and work towards ensuring the integrity of the digital landscape. Collaborative efforts between social media platforms and regulatory bodies are crucial for maintaining the trust of users and safeguarding democratic processes from manipulation.