Brussels (The Brussels Morning Newspaper) – The European Commission will not remark further on vitriols by X-owner Elon Musk against Commissioner Thierry Breton, a spokesperson for the EU institution stated.
Thierry Breton cautioned Musk to comply with legal responsibilities under the EU’s digital rulebook hours including proportionate and practical mitigation measures concerning the amplification of harmful scope before the billionaire interviewed US Republican candidate Donald Trump live on his platform.
How Has Elon Musk Responded to EU Commissioner Breton’s Warning?
In answer to Breton’s tweet Musk responded, citing a quip from the US satirical film Tropic Thunder, asking the EU Commissioner “to take a step back and literally, fuck your face.” When asked how that might affect the EU Commission’s relationship with X, which is already under investigation for observation with the Digital Services Act (DSA), a representative for the EU executive said that the institution “does not comment on comments”.
How Is the EU Commission Handling the Disinformation Probe into X?
The EU Commission started a probe into X under the DSA over the handling of disinformation on the social media platform last December. In preliminary findings issued last month, the EU Commission said that blue checkmarks operated on the platform are deceptive. In response, Musk blamed the EU for offering a secret deal to require compliance. Breton denied the existence of any such deal.
How Does Breton’s Letter Relate to the Recent Trump Interview?
When questioned if Breton coordinated his letter within the EU Commission, the spokesperson expressed that “the commissioner represented a general concern” for the management that the Very Large Online Platforms under the DSA have to coordinate with, but “the timing and wording were not blended with the president and not with the College.” “The letter was general, and the Trump interview was an example of a large event that can have a spillover in the EU,” the representative added.
Breton claimed in the letter that, despite the discussion taking place outside the EU, whatever was said during the live event could affect the EU public order, and therefore fall under the DSA.
In a similar move, the EU Executive stated that the response of X to the happenings after the Southport attack in the UK could be taken into account in the DSA inquiry as well. X was first used as an instrument to spread misinformation about the stabbing and consequent brutality and later became a channel for Musk to criticise the prime minister and strengthen rhetoric that has led to more attacks.
