On October 10, Commissioner European Union Thierry Breton, the face of Digital Service Act (DSA), called out Elon Musk for his platform X allegedly allowing the dissemination of “illegal content and disinformation in the EU.” He gave Elon a period of 24 hours to respond.
Elon was quick to respond and it was sharp and crisp. “Our policy is that everything is open source and transparent, an approach that I know the EU supports.”
He goes on to add, “Please list the violations you allude to on X, so that that the public can see them.”
Our policy is that everything is open source and transparent, an approach that I know the EU supports.
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) October 10, 2023
Please list the violations you allude to on 𝕏, so that that the public can see them.
Merci beaucoup.
Among hundreds of reactions underneath this exchange, users questioned the credibility and commitment of the EU to ensure freedom of expression.
One user points out that the intention behind the letter is to engage in “populism and propaganda”.
Adults don't need a babysitter to look after them. Clarification should be enough. Unless, of course, “the babysitter” has something to hide or is exclusively engaged in populism and propaganda.
— Melina (@Melina8Maria) October 11, 2023
Another points out the need to not be dictated.
Don’t worry! I’m smart enough to do some research and figure out misinformation myself!!!!
— David D. Stewart (@ddstewart9) October 12, 2023
One highlights the hypocrisy of the statement.
Is freedom of expression only valid when it goes your way?
— Louis Montpellier Natio (@Natio_1976) October 11, 2023
Other people were reminded of the autocratic government of Russia and the Thought Police of George Orwell’s 1984.
Thierry, 1984 is a novel, not an instruction manual
— Baron Samedi (@Lucamarty) October 10, 2023
Another posed the question directly, You would like to censor Palestinian users like Meta (Facebook) does, wouldn’t you?
You would like to censor Palestinian users like Meta (Facebook) does, wouldn't you?
— Dejan Đerković 🌍 (@DejanDerkovic) October 12, 2023
As per the sweeping rule book of DSA, the EU Commission can fine social media platforms up to 6 percent of their global turnover or, in extreme cases, block a site entirely from the EU.
According to an article by WIRED, legal experts say that there are no immediate consequences and there is no obligation on the platform to respond. They are characterizing it as a “misstep” by Breton while the political leadership sees it as a publicity stunt.
On the other hand, CEO of 𝕏, Linda Yaccarino has already confirmed that it has “identified and removed hundreds of Hamas-affiliated accounts”.
