The European Union has launched a preliminary investigation into Elon Musk’s X over claims it allowed “hate speech” and other forms of “illegal content” on the site.
It is the latest step in the European Commission’s censorship crusade against Big Tech. Berlaymont’s “digital enforcer” Thierry Breton also wrote a warning to Chinese social media giant TikTok on the evening of October 12.
Having issued a similar letter to Musk a couple of days ago, the EU confirmed it was now beginning an initial investigation into X’s alleged breaches of the censorious Digital Services Act (DSA).
The #DSA is here to protect both freedom of expression & our democracies — including in times of crisis.
We have sent @X a formal request for information, a first step in our investigation to determine compliance with the DSA.https://t.co/59ZX51aDVG
— Thierry Breton (@ThierryBreton) October 12, 2023
“Today the European Commission services sent to X a formal request for information under the Digital Services Act,” a press release from the EC read.
“This request follows indications received by the Commission services of the alleged spreading of illegal content and disinformation, in particular the spreading of terrorist and violent content and hate speech.”
The EC went on to say that Musk’s platform has until October 18 to respond to its concerns relating to the “activation and functioning of X’s crisis response protocol”. Its other complaints require a response by the end of October.
Elon Musk’s X has kowtowed to Brussels after the European Union’s censorship tsar Thierry Breton demanded a clampdown on “illegal” content linked to the Hamas attack on Israel. https://t.co/aGhCnmwCsZ
— Brussels Signal (@brusselssignal) October 12, 2023
Speaking of the demands, Breton said the EU’s censorship rules “protect both freedom of expression and our democracies – including in times of crisis”.
Others have been less charitable, with a number of prominent commentators comparing the push to control speech on the net as reminiscent of George Orwell’s dystopian social sci-fi novel 1984.
Such concerns do not appear to have found much truck with the EC. Eurocrats now regularly send open letters to Big Tech players ordering them to step up censorship of extreme violence committed by Hamas.
#TikTok has a particular obligation to protect children & teenagers from violent content & terrorist propaganda —as well as death challenges & potentially life-threatening content.#DSA sets out very clear obligations TikTok must comply with.
Letter to TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew⤵️ pic.twitter.com/J1tpVzXaYR
— Thierry Breton (@ThierryBreton) October 12, 2023
As of writing, TikTok is the latest recipient of one of these directives. Breton demanded the company’s CEO Shou Zi Chew reply to his concerns within 24 hours or face possible consequences.
“Let me remind you that the Digital Services Act asserts very precise obligations regarding content moderation,” the pro-censorship Commissioner wrote.
X will launch a legal challenge against forthcoming anti-hate-speech laws in Ireland, its US billionaire owner @elonmusk has announced. https://t.co/T0x46rGNqi
— Brussels Signal (@brusselssignal) August 25, 2023
