EU Warns Musk Before Trump Interview, Musk Hits Back
The European Commission has issued a strong warning to Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla and owner of X (formerly Twitter), concerning the platform's handling of harmful content. This comes just before a live conversation between Musk and former U.S. President Donald Trump, which will be accessible to users in the European Union.
Thierry Breton, a key member of the European Commission, sent a formal letter emphasizing X's obligations under the Digital Services Act (DSA), a major EU regulation that enforces strict content management standards for large online platforms. Given that X has over 300 million users globally and is classified as a 'Very Large Online Platform' under the DSA, the company is required to adhere to stringent EU laws.
Breton's letter highlighted the importance of the upcoming live interview, stressing that X must ensure its content complies with EU standards, especially since a significant portion of its users are in the EU. Breton wrote, "As the individual entity ultimately controlling a platform with over 300 million users worldwide, of which one-third are 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".
The letter underlined X's dual responsibility to protect freedom of expression while also implementing effective measures to curb the spread of harmful content. Breton referenced recent unrest in the UK as an example of how content amplification on social media can lead to violence, hatred, and disinformation, particularly during politically sensitive periods.
Breton also mentioned ongoing legal proceedings against X regarding its handling of illegal content under the DSA, warning of the potential risks posed by X’s content practices during major political events. He stated, "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".
The letter concluded with a stern warning to Musk: "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".
During the live broadcast with Trump, Musk addressed Breton’s letter by expressing concern over what he called increasing 'attempts of censorship, even from other countries'. Trump then shifted the conversation to economic topics, discussing the trade deficit between the U.S. and the EU and reflecting on his efforts to get NATO allies to contribute more financially during his presidency.
