Regulators are closely monitoring Twitter, and its compliance with the data protection rules, and Musk should not underestimate the Commission’s efforts to make big platforms responsible, European Commissioner for Transparency and Democracy Věra Jourová warned.
Jourová emphasised that European digital laws need to be respected by everyone. “They apply to Twitter regardless of who owns it. Musk should not underestimate our efforts to make big platforms responsible,” the commissioner said.
This is also why Twitter is now under European scrutiny. “Regulators are already closely monitoring compliance with the applicable data protection rules, and we will be able to enforce the Digital Services Act later this year as well,” Jourová explained.
The acquisition of Twitter by billionaire Elon Musk and his subsequent decisions are drawing the attention of European institutions. For example, he decided to fire content moderators tracking potentially illegal or contentious content. Moreover, the platform suspended the accounts of several prominent journalists.
Twitter could face sanctions of up to 6% of its global turnover if it does not comply with the EU rules. However, Jourová considers sanctions as a last resort. “First and foremost, I want them to respect the law and reduce the risks they pose to all their users,” she told EURACTIV.cz.
As EURACTIV.cz learned, the Parliament is also concerned by Musk’s decision, as they invited him to a meeting in December. However, no response was given to the invitation, European Parliament President Roberta Metsola’s office confirmed.
“We expect Twitter to comply with the regulatory framework in which it operates,” Jüri Laas from the President’s office added.
While Twitter is raising concerns due to its recent moves, Commissioner Jourová considers the platform an important partner in the fight against disinformation and illegal hate speech. “This must not change even after the dismissal of a large number of Twitter employees in Europe,” Jourová said.
She added that Twitter, under Musk’s leadership, confirmed its willingness to respect the Code of Practice on Disinformation. “We will have our first assessment (of implementation of the Code) later in January, which will also be a stress test,” the Commissioner concluded.
(Barbora Pištorová | EURACTIV.cz)
Source: euractiv.com
