European Commissioner for Internal Markets Thierry Breton has issued a stark warning to Elon Musk, owner of the social media platform “X” (formerly known as Twitter), regarding compliance with EU tech regulations. In a letter dated Monday, Breton threatened potential legal action against Musk’s platform if it fails to adhere to the rules outlined in the Digital Services Act (DSA) during Musk’s upcoming live interview with former President Donald Trump.
Breton emphasized that “X” is required to implement “effective mitigation measures” to prevent the spread of “harmful content” during the live event. The interview, scheduled for 8 p.m. on Monday, has raised concerns within the EU about the potential risks it poses, including the incitement of violence, hate, and racism.
“As the relevant content is accessible to EU users and being amplified also in our jurisdiction, we cannot exclude potential spillovers in the EU,” Breton stated. He highlighted the importance of monitoring the potential risks associated with disseminating content that may incite violence, hate, and racism, especially during significant political or societal events globally, including debates and interviews related to elections.
Breton made it clear that any violation of the DSA could prompt the EU to take legal action against the social media platform. “Let me clarify that any negative effect of illegal content on X in the EU, which could be attributed to the ineffectiveness of the way in which X applies the relevant provisions of the DSA, may be relevant in the context of the ongoing proceedings and the overall assessment of X’s compliance with EU law,” Breton’s letter continued. He referenced past actions taken in response to the amplification of terrorist content or content inciting violence, hate, and racism, such as during the recent riots in the United Kingdom.
The DSA, which came into effect in August 2023, is designed to enforce stricter content moderation on “very large online platforms,” targeting illegal content and “disinformation,” and imposing restrictions on targeted advertising.
In response to Breton’s letter, X CEO Linda Yaccarino stated on the platform, “This is an unprecedented attempt to stretch a law intended to apply in Europe to political activities in the U.S. It also patronizes European citizens, suggesting they are incapable of listening to a conversation and drawing their own conclusions.”
The EU had previously accused X in July of violating the DSA, claiming Musk’s verification policy could mislead users, according to CBS News. Musk had removed the verification badges, known as the blue check, from all verified accounts of notable individuals and currently charges $8 for users to obtain the blue check.
Breton reiterated that the EU would “not hesitate” to take action to protect its citizens from serious harm. He insisted that X must comply with the DSA by promptly informing EU judicial and administrative authorities about measures taken to address illegal content and notifying users about the actions taken.