Update (1615ET): Elon musk clarified what he meant by “free speech,” writing in a Tuesday tweet: “I simply mean that which matches the law.”
By “free speech”, I simply mean that which matches the law.
I am against censorship that goes far beyond the law.
If people want less free speech, they will ask government to pass laws to that effect.
Therefore, going beyond the law is contrary to the will of the people.
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) April 26, 2022
* * *
The European Union has put Elon Musk on notice – warning that he faces hefty fines or even a ban if he allows free speech on Twitter.
EU commissioner Thierry Breton told the Financial Times that Musk must follow rules on moderating illegal and harmful content online, since words have been elevated to ‘sticks & stones’ when it comes to the dangers of modern life.
“We welcome everyone. We are open but on our conditions. At least we know what to tell him: ‘Elon, there are rules. You are welcome but these are our rules. It’s not your rules which will apply here,” said Breton.
Musk’s take-private deal for Twitter could transform the Tesla chief executive, who has used the platform to attack regulators and critics, into a social media baron, given that millions of people rely on the San Francisco-based platform for news.
He said on Monday that “free speech is the bedrock of a functioning democracy” and described Twitter as “the digital town square where matters vital to the future of humanity are debated”. -FT
Breton’s comments come just days after Brussels signed a major piece of legislation targeting big tech for not doing enough to police content online, which runs counter to Musk’s plan to loosen Twitter’s content moderation policies to match his stated “free speech absolutist” ideology that could even see the return of former President Donal Trump to the platform (despite Trump’s insistence he won’t be back).
According to Breton, he’s simply offering Musk a “reality check” over plans for less stringent moderation, as a lack of compliance risks a ban in Europe.
“Anyone who wants to benefit from this market will have to fulfill our rules. The board [of Twitter] will have to make sure that if it operates in Europe it will have to fulfill its obligations, including moderation, open algorithms, freedom of speech, transparency in rules, obligations to comply with our own rules for hate speech, revenge porn [and] harassment,” said Breton, adding “If [Twitter] does not comply with our law, there are sanctions — 6 percent of the revenue and, if they continue, banned from operating in Europe.”
Looks like Elon Musk is going to have to buy the EU. https://t.co/sV6qJSRa8t
— Clint Ehrlich (@ClintEhrlich) April 26, 2022
via unsilencednews
