Elon Musk accuses European Commission of offering “illegal secret deal” to censor speech
Elon Musk, CTO and chairman of X, has made allegations that the European Commission (EC) offered the social media platform a secret deal to censor speech in order to avoid fines in the EU. Musk took to social media on July 12 to respond to the EC’s preliminary findings of an investigation under the Digital Services Act (DSA) which claimed that the platform lacked transparency in key areas.
According to Musk, the EC proposed that X should censor speech without informing the public in exchange for not being fined. Musk stated that other platforms accepted the deal, but X refused. He further mentioned that X is prepared for a legal battle in court.
Concerns over data access and transparency
The investigation by the European Commission found that X violated the DSA by not complying with regulations related to dark patterns, advertising transparency, and access to data for researchers. These findings raise concerns about the platform’s practices and its commitment to transparency and data access.
Deceptive Practices on Social Media Platforms
A recent report has raised concerns about deceptive practices on a popular social media platform, alleging that the platform’s “Blue checkmarks” and verified accounts can be easily obtained by anyone. This has led to confusion among users, as these systems are often misused by malicious users.
Lack of Transparency in Advertising
Furthermore, the platform has been criticized for not providing a searchable and reliable advertising repository, making it difficult for users to identify and report harmful content. The report also highlighted barriers that hinder supervision and research on potential risks associated with the platform.
Restricted Access to Data
In addition, the social media platform has been accused of not granting eligible researchers access to public data in accordance with the Digital Services Act. The platform’s terms of service prohibit scraping, and its API access process reportedly deters researchers with high fees.
Potential Fines and Legal Action
The European Commission has indicated that the platform may face significant fines, up to 6% of its global annual revenue, for non-compliance with regulations. The platform has the opportunity to respond to the allegations and engage in further consultations with regulatory authorities before a final decision is reached.
Challenges Faced by Platforms in the EU
Platforms operating in the European Union are facing challenges related to turnover requirements. In order to comply with EU regulations, platforms must meet certain turnover thresholds, which can be a significant hurdle for smaller companies.
Addressing Compliance Issues
In addition to turnover requirements, platforms must also address other compliance issues in order to continue operating in the EU. This could involve implementing enhanced supervision measures and making periodic penalty payments to ensure adherence to regulations.
Conclusion
Platforms operating in the EU face various challenges related to compliance and turnover requirements. By addressing these issues proactively, companies can ensure their continued operation in the European market.
