Twitter has withdrawn from the European Union’s voluntary agreement to combat online disinformation, according to European Commissioner Thierry Breton. While other major social media platforms have committed to supporting the EU’s disinformation “code of practice,” Twitter has abandoned this pledge. Breton tweeted that Twitter’s “obligation” remains, referring to the EU’s new digital rules that will take effect in August.
Elon Musk’s Influence on Twitter
Billionaire owner Elon Musk’s influence on Twitter may have played a role in the company’s decision to abandon its commitment to fighting false information. Since purchasing the social media company last year, Musk has rolled back previous anti-misinformation rules and thrown its verification system and content-moderation policies into chaos. His goal is to turn Twitter into a digital town square.
Other Platforms Committed to EU Code
While Twitter has opted out of the EU code, other platforms have committed to it. Google, TikTok, Microsoft, Facebook, and Instagram parent Meta are among the companies that have signed up. The EU code requires companies to measure their work on combating disinformation and issue regular reports on their progress.
Enforcement of New Digital Rules
Breton emphasized that fighting disinformation will become a “legal obligation” under the new digital rules that incorporate the code of practice. The European Commission, the executive arm of the 27-nation bloc, criticized Twitter earlier this year for failing to provide a full first report under the code. Breton stated that his team will be ready for enforcement under the new rules.
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