EU Raises Concerns About Elon Musk Spreading 'Misinformation' on X Following Hamas Attack

The European Union (EU) has issued a warning to Elon Musk regarding the spread of "disinformation" on X following Hamas' attack on Israel. The EU's industry chief criticized the failure to remove "violent and terrorist content" as required by EU law. Musk stated that his company had taken action by removing Hamas-affiliated accounts and requested the EU to provide a list of the alleged violations. In response, the EU's Commissioner for the Internal Market, Thierry Breton, did not provide specific details but mentioned "fake and manipulated images and facts" reported on the platform. Breton urged Musk to ensure the effectiveness of his systems and report on crisis measures taken. The exchange occurred after Hamas attacked Israel, leading to casualties and hostages. Israeli forces responded with missile strikes, resulting in significant loss of life. Musk defended his company's policy of transparency and requested a list of the referenced violations. Breton emphasized that Musk needed to demonstrate action against fake content and violence glorification. The EU Digital Services Act (DSA), aimed at safeguarding users of major tech platforms, came into effect in August with stronger regulations for larger firms. Failure to comply with the DSA can result in significant fines or suspension of services. Musk dissolved Twitter's Trust and Safety Council upon acquiring the company in 2022, which had advised on issues like self-harm, child abuse, and hate speech.