Head-on collision between Elon Musk and the EU Commissiona hot climate. At the center of the debate is the social network Xhit by numerous charges from Brussels, with the violation of the Digital Services Act (DSA) in sectors related to dark patterns, transparency of advertising and access to data for researchers. But Mr. Tesla’s reply was sharp, peremptory, accompanied by a rather heavy testimony: there would have been a illegal secret agreement to censor it. No names involved but the situation is certainly much more delicate than what has been leaked from European sources.
According to Musk, the EU would have tried to blackmail X into censoring him. While other big tech socials would have accepted similar agreements, X backed out. Hence the reaction of the European Commission, according to which the social network would be violating the European rules on digital services (Digital Services Act): in the crosshairs are misleading interfaces, the lack of transparency on advertising and insufficient access to data intended for researchers. Instead of giving in, Musk relaunched: in a post on X, he denounced Brussels’ attempt but also stated that the DSA “is disinformation”.
The European Commission offered an illegal secret deal: if we quietly censored speech without telling anyone, they would not fine us.
The other platforms accepted that deal.
did not. https://t.co/4lKsaRsYoA
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) July 12, 2024
“We look forward to a public battle in court, so that European citizens can know the truth,” Musk further provoked, who in case of refusal to comply with Brussels’ requests would risk a sanction equal to six percent of the company’s global turnover. The front is rather delicate and no conciliatory words have come from the EU, on the contrary, it almost seems like there is the will for a head-on clash. “Be our guest Musk”, the invitation of the European Commissioner for the Internal Market, Thierry Breton: “There has never been – and there will never be – any ‘secret deal’. With anyone. The DSA provides X (and any large platform) with the ability to offer commitments to resolve a case. To be clear: it is your team that asked the Commission to explain the resolution process and to clarify our concerns. We did so in line with established regulatory procedures. It is up to you whether you offer commitments or not. That is how rule of law procedures work. See you (in court or not)”.
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