EU Officials Contemplate Targeting Elon Musk's Business Empire Over X's 'Free Speech'
EU officials are reportedly considering using the Digital Services Act (DSA) as a weapon against free speech that doesn't align with government-approved narratives on social media. This includes Elon Musk's 'free speech' platform X. The EU's attack on free speech online could potentially extend to Musk's entire business empire, which may face fines.
According to Bloomberg, EU officials are deliberating on how to calculate fines against X for failing to combat what the bloc considers 'illegal content or disinformation' on the social media platform. This ongoing issue between the EU and Musk has been in progress for about a year. In essence, EU officials are upset with Musk because X does not censor or shadow-ban individuals based on political views. As a result, these bureaucrats may have to resort to lawfare against their political adversaries.
The report refers to sources familiar with the matter who stated that EU officials are considering whether to expand the potential fine of up to 6% of X's yearly global revenue to include Musk's other companies. These include SpaceX, Neuralink, xAI, and the Boring Company.
EU's Digital Services Act and the Potential Fines
Under the EU's Digital Services Act, the bloc can impose fines of up to 6% of the annual global revenue of online platforms. This penalty is applicable if they fail to tackle illegal content and disinformation or do not comply with transparency rules. Regulators are contemplating whether sales from SpaceX, Neuralink, xAI, and the Boring Company should be included in determining potential fines against X.
Investigations and Possible Penalties
The European Commission has been investigating X for several potential violations of the Digital Services Act. These newly introduced rules are designed to ensure platforms police illegal content. The EU is spearheading a global crackdown on harmful online content and disinformation, which has provoked increasingly vocal responses from Musk, who believes such measures restrict free speech.
The commission has not yet decided whether to penalize X, and the size of any potential fine is still under discussion. Penalties may be avoided if X finds ways to address the watchdog's concerns.
Public Battle in Court
Musk has previously expressed on X that he is prepared for a "very public battle in court" with the EU over its censorship tactics.
The review of X began under Thierry Breton, the EU's former tech czar who frequently clashed with Musk online. Breton had been granted special powers to enforce the DSA without the need for the commission's approval. After Breton resigned in September, his fining powers were transferred to competition and digital boss Margrethe Vestager. The decisions on the penalties and how they are calculated would ultimately rest with Vestager.
In August, commissioner Breton sent a letter to Musk threatening X with punishment if they didn't crack down on "content that promotes hatred, disorder, incitement to violence, or certain instances of disinformation."
Breton resigned in mid-September after going rogue on Musk.
Political Censorship
It is evident that EU bureaucrats and radical Democrats in the US, including the Obama-Biden-Harris team, have initiated censorship campaigns under the pretext of 'public safety' to silence and destroy political enemies. Such tactics are usually employed by dictators and demagogues.
In the US, Musk has faced an excessive amount of lawfare from federal agencies under the Biden-Harris administration. This includes the FAA slowing down SpaceX rocket launches and the FCC rejecting Starlink space internet in the US' rural internet program. This lawfare highlights the desperation of the Democrats. If Trump wins, X could become the primary source of news and narratives, which would entirely displace legacy mainstream media.
Bottom Line
The potential targeting of Elon Musk's business empire by EU officials over X's 'free speech' platform raises critical questions about the balance between regulating online content and preserving freedom of speech. What are your thoughts on this matter? Do you believe the EU's actions are justified, or do they infringe upon the principles of free speech? Share your thoughts and this article with your friends. Don't forget to sign up for the Daily Briefing, which is delivered every day at 6pm.
EU Officials Contemplate Targeting Elon Musk's Business Empire Over X's 'Free Speech'
EU officials are reportedly considering using the Digital Services Act (DSA) as a weapon against free speech that doesn't align with government-approved narratives on social media. This includes Elon Musk's 'free speech' platform X. The EU's attack on free speech online could potentially extend to Musk's entire business empire, which may face fines.
According to Bloomberg, EU officials are deliberating on how to calculate fines against X for failing to combat what the bloc considers 'illegal content or disinformation' on the social media platform. This ongoing issue between the EU and Musk has been in progress for about a year. In essence, EU officials are upset with Musk because X does not censor or shadow-ban individuals based on political views. As a result, these bureaucrats may have to resort to lawfare against their political adversaries.
The report refers to sources familiar with the matter who stated that EU officials are considering whether to expand the potential fine of up to 6% of X's yearly global revenue to include Musk's other companies. These include SpaceX, Neuralink, xAI, and the Boring Company.
