With great audience comes greater responsibility #DSA
As there is a risk of amplification of potentially harmful content in 🇪🇺 in connection with events with major audience around the world, I sent this letter to @elonmusk
📧⤵️ pic.twitter.com/P1IgxdPLzn
— Thierry Breton (@ThierryBreton) August 12, 2024
The European Commission has distanced itself from a letter sent by Thierry Breton, European Commissioner for Internal Markets and Services, to Elon Musk regarding “harmful content” on X, formerly known as Twitter. Breton’s letter, which was posted on X, urged Musk to ensure compliance with EU law, including the Digital Services Act (DSA), and warned of the risks of amplifying potentially harmful content within the EU. However, the Commission revealed that Breton did not have approval from its president, Ursula von der Leyen, to send the letter.
So Elon Musk has become:
The single biggest issue in transatlantic relations, in internal Bxl/European Commission politics and UK politics
Not bad. I bet he's pleased with himself https://t.co/X25cX7FMbe
— Mujtaba Rahman (@Mij_Europe) August 13, 2024
An EU official stated, “The timing and the wording of the letter were neither coordinated nor agreed with the president nor with the [commissioners].”
Musk responded to Breton’s letter with a humorous post on X, followed by a critical comment on censorship.
DSA's choice of making the Commission the European online regulator was not the best idea. This epistolar system to convey a bizarre interpretation of certain aspects of the DSA goes against the very principles of rule of law and fair process https://t.co/KJWV0koz9J
— Joan Barata (@JoanBarata) August 14, 2024
He later referenced Breton’s post with a meme from the movie Tropic Thunder, expressing hesitation in posting it due to its potentially rude nature.
EU distances itself
Ooooohhh damn. This is what I've been saying about Breton's unproductive, rights-threatening bluster. Except meaner and from someone who works with him.
Nice get, @markscott82. https://t.co/UPZ4OaqaTx pic.twitter.com/v5tIixo4hP
— Daphne Keller (@daphnehk) August 13, 2024
The DSA, under which X is being scrutinized, requires platforms to counter illegal content and disinformation and maintain transparency obligations. The investigation into X is one of the first significant test cases of the DSA since its announcement. Trump campaign spokesman Steven Cheung reacted to the incident by urging the EU to “mind their own business instead of trying to meddle in the U.S. Presidential election.”
The incident has sparked a discussion on free speech and the responsibilities of social media platforms in moderating content.
It has also highlighted the EU’s role in regulating digital platforms and the challenges of maintaining a unified approach within the bloc. As the situation unfolds, it remains to be seen how the EU will balance its regulatory efforts with concerns over potential interference in political matters. The controversy surrounding Breton’s letter has put a spotlight on the complex relationship between tech giants, regulators, and the public interest.
