EU Official Threatens Elon Musk With Sanctions Over Planned Trump Interview

Chris Menahan
InformationLiberation
Aug. 12, 2024

Thierry Breton, EU Commissioner for the Internal Market, threatened Elon Musk on Monday that X could face sanctions and a potential EU-wide ban if he disseminates "hate" or "racism" through his planned interview with former President Donald Trump.


"With great audience comes greater responsibility," Breton said. "As there is a risk of amplification of potentially harmful content in EU in connection with events with major audience around the world, I sent this letter to @elonmusk."

Breton said in 2022 that "if [Twitter] does not comply with [the DSA], there are sanctions โ€” 6 per cent of the revenue and, if they continue, banned from operating in Europe."

Breton wrote in his letter on Monday:
As you know, formal proceedings are already ongoing against X under the [Digital Services Act], notably in areas linked to the dissemination of illegal content and the effectiveness of the measures taken to combat disinformation.

As the relevant content is accessible to EU users and being amplified also in our jurisdiction, we cannot exclude potential spillovers in the EU. Therefore, we are monitoring the potential risks in the EU associated with the dissemination of content that may incite violence, hate and racism in conjunction with major political - or societal - events around the world, including debates and interviews in the context of elections.

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 of the overall assessment of X's compliance with EU law. This is in line with what has already been done in the recent past, for example in relation to the repercussions and amplification of terrorist content or content that incites violence, hate and racism in the EU, such as in the context of the recent riots in the United Kingdom.

I therefore urge you to promptly ensure the effectiveness of your systems and to report measures taken to my team.

My services and I will be extremely vigilant to any evidence that points to breaches of the DSA and will not hesitate to make full use of our toolbox, including by adopting interim measures, should it be warranted to protect EU citizens from serious harm.
X CEO Linda Yaccarino responded directly to his tweet, writing: "This is an unprecedented attempt to stretch a law intended to apply in Europe to political activities in the US. It also patronizes European citizens, suggesting they are incapable of listening to a conversation and drawing their own conclusions."


Musk himself also mocked him with a meme.


Breton's threats are astonishingly stupid, arrogant and a clear attempt at election interference.

The US should put sanctions on him personally for interfering in our elections and threatening our free speech rights.

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