After false information about the Islamist Hamas attacks on Israel was spread on Elon Musk’s online platform X, the European Commission took action. In a letter, EU Commissioner Thierry Breton reminded Musk of the obligation to remove illegal content. There is evidence that images have been manipulated or are actually taken from video games. Musk initially pretended to be ignorant.
He called on Breton to list the violations “so the public can see them.” The commissioner remained firm: “They are well aware of the messages from their users – and the authorities – about disinformation and the glorification of violence.” It is now up to Musk to put his words into action. “But what are we talking about?” Musk wrote again hours later.
On the profile of Newly created accounts with connections to Hamas were also deleted.
Numerous content moderators have been fired
Tech billionaire Musk bought Twitter almost a year ago and later renamed the online service X. Shortly after the acquisition, he fired about half of its workforce. According to media reports, many employees responsible for the platform’s security and the fight against disinformation also lost their jobs during his austerity measures. However, advertising manager Lind Yaccarino, appointed by Musk as X-boss, recently said that the relevant departments were now being rebuilt.
Musk repeatedly emphasized that, in his opinion, Twitter had restricted freedom of expression too much before the takeover. Accordingly, he relaxed the rules for statements on the platform. The Jewish organization ADL and some researchers, among others, have since seen an increase in anti-Semitic content on the platform. Musk rejects this and threatened to take the ADL to court. Since the acquisition, many former advertisers have avoided X because they fear a negative climate for their brands. This has consequences for advertising revenue.
“Following Hamas’s terrorist attacks on Israel, we have evidence that your platform is being used to spread illegal content and disinformation in the EU,” Breton wrote in a letter published on X on Tuesday evening.
New EU laws provide for rapid removal
He wanted to remind Musk of the new EU laws that apply to major online platforms – namely that it must be clear what content is and is not allowed. “This is especially important when it comes to violent and terrorist content that appears to be circulating on your platform,” Breton wrote. Furthermore, such content should be removed as soon as possible. He asked for a response within 24 hours.
According to a new law, Facebook,
Meanwhile, Germany’s independent federal commissioner for anti-discrimination, Ferda Ataman, called on the government to leave X. Media company Table.Media reports this, citing the Federal Anti-Discrimination Agency. It is further said that Ataman has massively criticized the platform operators in a letter to government spokesperson Steffen Hebestreit and pointed out the inadequate enforcement of applicable laws on the platform.
It is “increasingly questionable whether government and state authorities should conduct public relations on a platform that has become a disinformation network and whose owner shares or spreads anti-Semitic, racist and right-wing populist content,” the letter continues.
Source: Krone
I am Wallace Jones, an experienced journalist. I specialize in writing for the world section of Today Times Live. With over a decade of experience, I have developed an eye for detail when it comes to reporting on local and global stories. My passion lies in uncovering the truth through my investigative skills and creating thought-provoking content that resonates with readers worldwide.
