By
Godfrey Benjamin
April 26th, 2024
The EU has asked Elon Musk’s Twitter to adhere to a list of rules for content moderation. Musk has assured that he would comply with the requirements.
The European Union has recently threatened Elon Musk’s social media company Twitter with a ban unless it abides by the content moderation rules of the region. On Wednesday, the Financial Times reported that the EU has picked up a new battle with Twitter.
During a video meeting with Elon Musk on Wednesday, November 30, the EU industry chief Thierry Breton made the threat, reported FT, citing people familiar with the matter.
During the meeting, Breton told Elon Musk that with Twitter he must adhere to the checklist of rules offered by the EU. This includes ditching an “arbitrary” approach to reinstating banned users. Furthermore, Musk must also agree to an “extensive independent audit” of the platform by 2023.
This is not the first time that the EU industry chief spoke to Elon Musk regarding his concerns. Previously, Breton had urged Musk to comply with the landmark EU rules against online hate speech and disinformation. European Commission’s justice chief Didier Reynders has also voiced similar concerns.
The last month of November has been dramatic with Elon Musk taking complete charge of Twitter. Also, the world’s richest man was quick enough to fire several thousand employees from Twitter in the first week of the takeover.
Additionally, Musk’s blunt on the political scenario in America has also made him hostile to the people in Washington D.C. The U.S. lawmakers have been calling for a similar audit of Twitter over its content moderation policies.
Elon Musk Makes Peace with Apple
Recently, there were reports that Apple is planning to remove the Twitter app from its App Store. Elon Musk too has been tweeting about it incessantly. On Wednesday, Musk cleared the air by meeting Apple chief Tim Cook.
The Twitter chief said that the Apple boss told him that he never considered removing Twitter from the App Store. Elon Musk tweeted a short video of his visit to the Apple HQ adding:
“Good conversation. Among other things, we resolved the misunderstanding about Twitter potentially being removed from the App Store. Tim was clear that Apple never considered doing so.”
Earlier this week, Elon Musk accused Apple of censorship while criticizing the company’s policies. “Apple has mostly stopped advertising on Twitter. Do they hate free speech in America?” he said.
Thanks @tim_cook for taking me around Apple’s beautiful HQ pic.twitter.com/xjo4g306gR
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) November 30, 2022
Elon Musk has been quite instrumental in making Twitter 2.0 since he took charge in late October. He has been open about unbanning some controversial figures like former President Donald Trump and wrestler Andrew Tate.
Additionally, Elon Musk has also assured EU lawmakers that would take necessary action to improve content moderation. After meeting Mr. Breton, Musk said:
“Let’s also be clear that 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”.
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