The new owner of Twitter will not be able to do everything he wants within the European Union.
Here is the message sent by Brussels to Elon Musk the day after the announcement of his takeover of the social network for 44 billion dollars.
Its desire to guarantee more freedom of expression on the platform cannot be accompanied by a weakening of the moderation of illicit remarks in the 27 countries of the Union, underlines to
Figaro
the commissioner for the internal market Thierry Breton.
"
In Europe, things are clear: Twitter must adapt to our rules to benefit from a market of 445 million Internet users, which is greater than the American market
," he recalls.
The acquisition of Twitter comes less than 72 hours after the adoption in Brussels of an agreement on the final drafting of the Digital Services Act (DSA), which will apply to large digital platforms in 2023, then in 2024 to services under 45 million European users.
Read alsoEurope adopts unprecedented regulation for a safer internet
“
The situation has changed in Europe.
We are the first continent in the world to impose obligations on platforms so that they have the right to operate in our country.
These obligations respect freedom of expression, European values and our rule of law.
They require them to fight against hate speech, online harassment or calls for terrorist acts.
And this whatever the desires of their owners and their boards of directors
”, continues Thierry Breton.
“The door is open for a dialogue with Elon Musk”
The European text also provides for obligations of transparency on the underside of the moderation services, of which the speakers of the different European languages must be in sufficient number.
The major platforms will be audited once a year by independent bodies.
If they fail to comply with DSA rules, regulators will be able to impose fines of up to 6% of their annual turnover.
This would represent $300 million for Twitter.
"
Repeated infringements may lead to a ban on the incriminated platform in Europe
", recalls the commissioner.
“
It's up to them to adapt to our rules, not the other way around.
»
Thierry Breton indicates that “
his door is open if Elon Musk has any questions about the Digital Services Act.
I have already conducted hundreds of hours of discussion with the major platforms to build
“this regulation.
“
He will respect our digital laws, just as he already respects our regulations for the construction of his factory
” Tesla in Germany.
The Commissioner also recalls that Brussels “
has always had very constructive relations with Twitter, including during very difficult times such as during the Covid-19 pandemic or during the invasion of the Capitol.
The platforms have always listened to us because Europe is an important player and our requirements are clear and precise.
I have no doubt that it will be the same with Elon Musk.
»