The aftermath of the Hamas attack in Israel has raised concerns about the rapid dissemination of misleading claims and doctored images on Elon Musk’s social media platform, X, which could lead to dire consequences, including potential fines of up to 6% of the platform’s revenue.
The European Union (EU), known for its stringent internet regulations, has taken particular issue with the situation.
European Union Commissioner Thierry Breton, in a letter posted on X, warned Musk that the platform was spreading “illegal content and disinformation.”
The EU expects platforms to combat fake content effectively. Breton demanded that the company address allegations of “violent” d
Following the terrorist attacks by Hamas against 🇮🇱, we have indications of X/Twitter being used to disseminate illegal content & disinformation in the EU.
Urgent letter to @elonmusk on #DSA obligations ⤵️ pic.twitter.com/avMm1LHq54
— Thierry Breton (@ThierryBreton) October 10, 2023
In response, Musk challenged Breton’s post and requested a list of the alleged violations for public scrutiny. X had previously announced the removal of newly created accounts affiliated with Hamas and actions taken on tens of thousands of posts containing graphic media, violent speech, and hateful conduct. However, it did not specify the nature of these actions.