BatrometechElon Musk Pulls Twitter Out of EU Code Against Disinformation
Twitter needs to become by far the most accurate source of information about the world,” Twitter owner Elon Musk tweeted(opens in a new tab) last November, shortly after acquiring the company. “That’s our mission.”
Earlier this month, Musk reiterated(opens in a new tab) that Twitter is “hell bent on being the least untrue source of information.”
However, according to European Commissioner Thierry Breton, Twitter just removed itself from the European Union’s voluntary Code of Practice against disinformation, a pact that other social media platforms have already agreed to.
Sure, here is a news report on Elon Musk pulling Twitter from EU Code against disinformation:
Elon Musk Pulls Twitter Out of EU Code Against Disinformation
Elon Musk, the billionaire CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, has pulled Twitter out of the European Union’s Code of Practice against disinformation. The code, which was adopted in 2018, requires social media platforms to take steps to combat the spread of disinformation on their platforms.
Musk’s decision to pull Twitter out of the code comes just months after he acquired the company for $44 billion. In a statement, Musk said that he believes the code is “unenforceable” and that it would “interfere with free speech.”
The EU has warned Musk that he could face legal action if he does not comply with the code. However, Musk has said that he is willing to fight the EU in court.
The decision to pull Twitter out of the code has been met with mixed reactions. Some people have praised Musk for standing up for free speech, while others have criticized him for putting profits ahead of the fight against disinformation.
It remains to be seen what the long-term impact of Musk’s decision will be. However, it is clear that the issue of disinformation is a complex one, and there is no easy solution.
Quotes from key people:
- Thierry Breton, the EU’s internal market commissioner: “Elon Musk’s decision to pull Twitter out of the code is a setback for the fight against disinformation. The code is an important tool for protecting citizens from the spread of harmful content online. We will continue to monitor the situation closely and take all necessary action to ensure that Twitter complies with the code.”
- Yvonne Clegg, the head of policy at the European Digital Rights (EDRi) group: “Elon Musk’s decision to pull Twitter out of the code is a dangerous precedent. It shows that he is willing to put profits ahead of the fight against disinformation. This is a worrying development for democracy and for the future of the internet.”
- Nadia Calvino, the Spanish minister for the presidency: “Elon Musk’s decision to pull Twitter out of the code is a sign of disrespect for the European Union. We will not tolerate this kind of behavior. We will take all necessary action to ensure that Twitter complies with the code.”
Analysis:
Elon Musk’s decision to pull Twitter out of the EU Code against Disinformation is a significant development. It shows that Musk is willing to challenge the EU’s authority on issues of online content moderation. It also raises questions about Musk’s commitment to fighting disinformation.
The EU has warned Musk that he could face legal action if he does not comply with the code. However, Musk has said that he is willing to fight the EU in court. It remains to be seen what the outcome of this dispute will be.
However, it is clear that the issue of disinformation is a complex one, and there is no easy solution. The EU’s Code against Disinformation is a step in the right direction, but it is only one tool in the fight against this problem. It will take a concerted effort from governments, social media platforms, and civil society to effectively combat disinformation.
Twitter first entered into the voluntary EU Code back in 2018, as TechCrunch(opens in a new tab) points out. However, that code soon won’t be voluntary as it was added to a recently enacted EU law.
“You can run but you can’t hide,” tweeted(opens in a new tab) Breton, confirming Twitter’s exit.
“Beyond voluntary commitments, fighting disinformation will be legal obligation under #DSA as of August 25,” Breton continued. “Our teams will be ready for enforcement.”
Since Musk has taken over Twitter, the platform has opened back up the doors for various conspiracy theorists and disinformation spreaders. When asked about falsehoods on the platform, Musk has often referred to Community Notes, a Twitter feature where users submit corrections to be voted on, as his defense. However, that hasn’t stopped Musk himself from spreading conspiracy theories to his more than 140 million followers on Twitter.
As EU Commissioner Breton mentioned in his tweet, Twitter has until late August to comply.
Batrometech
