Elon Musk might shut off Twitter entirely in Europe. (Read More Here).
He has pulled Twitter from the EU’s anti-disinformation agreement which would have required large digital platforms like Twitter to monitor and demonetize disinformation and bots, offer warnings about political advertising and fact-check information.
The law takes effect in August. “Twitter leaves EU voluntary Code of Practice against disinformation. But obligations remain. You can run but you can’t hide,” Breton wrote — a reference to obligations the platform is legally required to comply with as a so-called very large online platform (VLOP) under the EU’s Digital Services Act (DSA).
“Beyond voluntary commitments, fighting disinformation will be legal obligation under #DSA as of August 25. Our teams will be ready for enforcement.”
The pan-EU law, which entered into force back in November, requires VLOPs like Twitter to assess and mitigate systemic risks to civic discourse and electoral processes, such as disinformation.
Twitter has pulled out of the European Union’s voluntary code of practice regarding online disinformation as the company’s owner continues posting content that could be flagged under a forthcoming EU law.
The social media site’s withdrawal from the EU’s agreement on disinformation could signal owner Elon Musk is preparing to cease operations in Europe entirely, Euractiv reported, as a new law — the Digital Services Act (DSA)— is set to take effect in August. The law, which establishes requirements for monitoring and flagging disinformation, would make the now voluntary agreement mandatory for large social media sites.
“Twitter leaves EU voluntary Code of Practice against disinformation. But obligations remain,” European Commissioner Thierry Breton tweeted on Friday. “You can run but you can’t hide. Beyond voluntary commitments, fighting disinformation will be legal obligation under #DSA as of August 25. Our teams will be ready for enforcement.”
Previous management at Twitter signed the platform up to the voluntary EU Code on Disinformation back in 2018. But Twitter’s current owner, billionaire Elon Musk, looks intent on picking a fight with the EU over speech moderation — belying early remarks he made to Breton in person when Musk had claimed to be on board with the bloc’s digital rulebook.
This is an expensive fight for Musk to pick. Breaches of the DSA can attract penalties of up to 6% of global annual turnover.
Discover more from KossyDerrickent
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.