The other day, we were concerned that Twitter would lose its Apple app, with a devastating loss to its revenue. What about losing Europe?
The European Union has reportedly threatened to ban Twitter unless Elon Musk abides by its strict content moderation rules.
The warning, which has been reported by The Financial Times, could be the start of a regulatory battle over the future of the social media platform across Europe.
EU industry chief Thierry Breton made the threat during a video meeting with Musk on Wednesday, the news outlet said, citing people with knowledge of the conversation.
Breton told the world’s richest man he must adhere to a checklist of rules which are set out in the EU’s new Digital Services Act.
According to the report, these include a requirement to ditch an “arbitrary” approach to reinstating banned users and to agree to an “extensive independent audit” of the platform by next year.
The landmark law aims to set the global standard for how tech giants must police content on the internet.
In a readout of the conversation provided by Breton, he told Musk: “There is still huge work ahead, as Twitter will have to implement transparent user policies, significantly reinforce content moderation and protect freedom of speech, tackle disinformation with resolve, and limit targeted advertising.”
The impressive incompetence of the “world’s richest man” continues to be staggeringly entertaining. I look forward to the incoherent tantrum that will be incoming.