EU Official Warns Elon Musk About Spreading Harmful Content on X
The European Union’s top digital official, Thierry Breton, has sent a letter to Elon Musk reminding him of his legal obligation to prevent the spread of “harmful content” on X, formerly known as Twitter. This comes just hours before Musk is set to interview Donald Trump live on the platform.
Under the EU’s Digital Services Act, digital platforms like X are required to combat illegal content and disinformation to protect users from harm. Breton emphasized that these obligations apply to the entire user community on the platform, including Musk who has over 190 million followers.
Breton expressed concerns about the potential amplification of harmful content in the EU, particularly in light of Musk’s upcoming interview with Trump and his past inflammatory remarks. He warned that the EU will not hesitate to take action if there are breaches of the DSA that put citizens at risk.
Despite the technical challenges that have plagued similar events on X, Musk’s interview with Trump could provide the former president with a platform to reach a wider audience beyond his traditional supporters. As Musk continues to play a significant role in US politics, there are growing concerns about the spread of misinformation on the platform.