‘Illegal Secret Deal:’ Musk Claims European Union Tried to Blackmail X into Censorship

Elon Musk, owner of X (formerly Twitter), has alleged that the European Union tried to coerce him into allowing covert censorship at the request of Brussels. He also accused other social media platforms of engaging in similar agreements.

In response, the European Union invoked its new Digital Services Act (DSA) on Friday, claiming that X had violated EU regulations and warning of potential fines.

Musk swiftly countered, asserting that the DSA was spreading “misinformation” and claiming that the EU had attempted to negotiate a clandestine arrangement for EU-mandated censorship with him.

He wrote in his claim: “The European Commission offered [X] an illegal secret deal: if we quietly censored speech without telling anyone, they would not fine us.” Musk asserted “The other platforms accepted that deal” but that he did not.

Musk said, further: “We look forward to a very public battle in court, so that the people of Europe can know the truth.”

How we know you’re real? ????

— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) July 12, 2024

Nigel Farage, a prominent figure in the Brexit movement, has been critical of the European Union’s closed-door deal making and opaque practices.

He responded approvingly to Elon Musk’s allegation about the EU, stating “Elon Musk reveals the truth about the EU. What a guy.”

According to a report by Reuters, the European Union has accused Twitter (referred to as “X”) of lacking transparency and failing to comply with rules regarding illegal content and public security risks on social media platforms.

The EU has also expressed dissatisfaction with Twitter’s blue check system, stating that it does not align with industry standards.

The report suggests that if Twitter/Musk does not comply with the EU’s demands, the company could face a fine of six percent of its global turnover and be required to make significant changes to its operations.

There is also a theoretical possibility of Twitter being banned from operating in Europe altogether.

As reported last year on the launch of the DSA:

Under the European Union’s recently adopted Digital Services Act (DSA), which the bloc has described as providing “an unprecedented level of public oversight” on the internet, the European Commission will place at least 19 online platforms under its strictest level of censorship by August 25th.

Announcing the measure, European Commissioner for Internal Market Thierry Breton said: “With great scale comes great responsibility,” adding: “They will not be able to act as if they are too big to care.”

…

The driving force behind the legislation, Thierry Breton, a former French tech executive, has previously warned new Twitter boss Elon Musk that the microblogging site could run the risk of being banned in the European Union should it restore the free speech roots of the company.

Although the bill claims to try to protect free speech, Breton himself has backed Big Tech taking censorship into their own hands, seemingly expressing support for Twitter’s decision to ban then-President Donald Trump in 2021, saying that tech companies “have recognised their responsibility, duty and means to prevent the spread of illegal viral content”.

EU Announces Stricter Content Moderation Rules for Twitter, YouTube, Facebook and Other Tech Platforms https://t.co/YbG8f70VJ2

— Breitbart London (@BreitbartLondon) April 26, 2023

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