On Monday, 12th August, the European Commission issued a threatening letter to Elon Musk, expressing concern over the management of alleged harmful information on X (previously Twitter). The letter had been composed by Thierry Breton, Commissioner for Internal Market of the European Union, which concentrated on X’s obligations under the Digital Services Act (DSA), a major European Union legislation governing large online platforms.
The European Commission issued an official threat to Elon Musk for hosting US presidential candidate Donald Trump on his platform X. As per the commission, Musk has committed political interference in another country, caused a serious threat to freedom of speech, and also caused intimidation of a private party.
Breton acknowledged the upcoming live conversation between Musk and former US President Donald Trump, which would be open for EU consumers. Breton emphasized that X, which has over 300 million users globally, has been certified as a “Very Large Online Platform” by the DSA, which implies it bears more responsibility for ensuring compliance with EU regulations.
“As the individual entity ultimately controlling a platform with over 300 million users worldwide, of which one third in the EU, that has been designated as a Very Large Online Platform, you have the legal obligation to ensure X’s compliance with EU law and in particular the DSA in the EU,” Breton wrote.
With great audience comes greater responsibility #DSA
— Thierry Breton (@ThierryBreton) August 12, 2024
As there is a risk of amplification of potentially harmful content in 🇪🇺 in connection with events with major audience around the world, I sent this letter to @elonmusk
📧⤵️ pic.twitter.com/P1IgxdPLzn
Breton also threatened Elon Musk with ongoing legal procedures against X against its management of illegal content under the DSA, notably in areas involving the spread of disinformation. He pointed out that X’s content reaches EU users, and that the platform’s tactics might have a substantial impact in the EU, particularly during key political events.
“We are monitoring the potential risks in the EU associated with the dissemination of content that may incite violence, hate, and racism in conjunction with major political or societal events around the world,” Breton threatened.
The letter ended on a stark note reading, “My services and I will be extremely vigilant to any evidence that points to breaches of the DSA and will not hesitate to make full use of our toolbox, including by adopting interim measures, should it be warranted to protect EU citizens from serious harm.”
Elon Musk, however, replied promptly to the letter asking the European authorities to step back. He indicated that he was making all the efforts to not sound rude and irresponsible in the reply.
To be honest, I really wanted to respond with this Tropic Thunder meme, but I would NEVER do something so rude & irresponsible! https://t.co/jL0GDW5QUx pic.twitter.com/XhUxCSGFNP
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) August 12, 2024
Elon Musk interviewed Donald Trump on Tuesday despite European Union’s threats and talked at length about the assassination attempt on Trump last month. During the live broadcast with Donald Trump, Musk expressed alarm over what he saw as escalating attempts of censorship, even from other countries.
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) August 13, 2024
Notably, the commission also started an investigation last year to assess whether X is in breach of the DSA. That investigation is ongoing. The commission can also impose fines of up to 6% of a company’s global annual revenue if it violates the DSA.
This commission has previously accused X of violating regulations governing dark patterns, which are deceptive practices used by businesses to persuade individuals to use or pay for specific products and services, advertising transparency, and data access for academics.
