The conflict between Israel and Hamas offers a new skirmish between the European Union (EU) and Elon Musk, the boss of X (formerly Twitter), accused of laxity on the content broadcast on the social network.
“Following the terrorist attacks carried out by Hamas against Israel, we have indications that your platform is being used to spread illegal content and disinformation in the EU,” wrote Digital Commissioner Thierry Breton, to Elon Musk, in a letter broadcast in particular on X, and dated Tuesday October 10.
“Our policy is that everything is open and transparent, an approach that I know the EU supports,” the billionaire responded to Mr. Breton directly on X, a few hours later. “Please list the violations you are referring to on X, so that the public can see them,” he added, before concluding with a “Thank you very much,” in French.
Violent images and attempts at disinformation
Humiliating videos of hostages, decapitated bodies, filmed assassination… Social networks have been flooded with violent images but also with attempts at disinformation, since the attacks carried out on Saturday morning by Hamas, a challenge for the platforms’ moderation teams .
“We have received, from qualified sources, reports of potentially illegal content circulating on your service despite reports from the competent authorities,” underlined the European Commissioner in his missive to Elon Musk. “When you receive notices of illegal content in the EU, you must act quickly, diligently and objectively and remove the content in question when justified,” he reminded. This obligation arises in particular from the new European legislation on digital services (DSA) in force since the end of August for nineteen major platforms.
After his takeover of Twitter last year, Elon Musk carried out a massive wave of layoffs which decimated the moderation teams. He regularly reaffirms his vision of freedom of expression, refusing any “censorship”, even if he ensures that the platform respects the laws of each country on the subject.
Brussels was concerned at the end of September about the rate of misinformation on X, pointing out its poor results during tests carried out on several platforms. Furthermore, since last week, links and press articles shared on
A deleted post seen millions of times
Elon Musk himself has drawn widespread criticism for encouraging his approximately 160 million followers on X to learn about the Israel-Hamas conflict by following two accounts known for spreading false information. The billionaire then deleted his post but it had been viewed millions of times.
Thierry Breton reminded the American boss of “the very precise obligations” incumbent upon him in terms of content moderation, still within the framework of the DSA: “You must demonstrate great transparency and great clarity regarding the authorized content by your Terms of Use and enforce your own policies consistently and diligently,” the commissioner wrote.
“This is particularly important when it comes to violent and terrorist content that appears to be circulating on your platform,” he stressed. The commissioner also invited Elon Musk to “urgently” ensure that his systems “are effective” and “to inform” Brussels “of the crisis measures that will be taken.”
“Sanctions may be imposed.”
“Given the urgency, I also expect you to be in contact with the relevant law enforcement authorities and [European police agency] Europol, and to respond promptly to their requests. requests,” Thierry Breton further demanded.
“I urge you to provide a rapid, precise and complete response to this request within the next twenty-four hours,” he ordered. “I remind you that following the potential opening of an investigation and a finding of non-compliance, sanctions may be imposed,” he warned.
Experts also criticize Elon Musk for having reinstated accounts propagating conspiracy theories and setting up a program to share advertising revenue with content creators, accused of wanting to boost the number of clicks to the detriment of the quality and veracity of the content. information disseminated.