EU Puts Musk On Notice Over Free Speech Plans For Twitter

HNewsWire: Elon Musk has been warned by the European Union that he might face heavy penalties or possibly a suspension from Twitter if he continues to allow free speech on the platform.

When it comes to the perils of contemporary life, words have been raised to the status of "sticks and stones," according to EU commissioner Thierry Breton, who spoke to the Financial Times.

"Everyone is welcome here. On our terms, we're open to the public. 'Elon, there are rules.' At least we know what to tell him. Welcome, but please abide by these ground rules. It's not up to you to set the rules here, albeit ""Breton" is the language spoken here.

With millions of people relying on the San Francisco-based platform for news, the take-private offer for Twitter by Tesla CEO Elon Musk may convert him into a social media mogul.

Mr. Zuckerberg called Twitter "the digital town square where things crucial to the future of mankind are argued" on Monday. -FT

Breton's remarks come just days after Brussels signed a major piece of legislation targeting big tech for not doing enough to police content online, which runs counter to Musk's plan to loosen Twitter's content moderation policies to match his stated "free speech absolutist" ideology, which could even see the return of former President Donal Trump to the platform (despite Trump's insistence he won't be back)...

"Reality check" is what Breton is trying to do with Musk's ideas for less severe moderation, since a lack of compliance in Europe might lead to a ban.

"Anyone hoping to get a foothold in this sector must adhere to our guidelines. Breton said that if Twitter does not comply with European law, "there are sanctions—6 per cent of the revenue and if they continue operating in Europe. If they don't comply with our law, there are sanctions—6 per cent of the revenue, and if they continue operating in Europe."

War on Free Speech: EU Demands Facebook and Google Censor ‘Illegal’ Speech in One Hour http://www.breitbart.com/london/2018/03/02/eu-demands-facebook-google-censor-illegal-speech-one-hour/ …EU Demands Facebook and Google Censor ‘Illegal’ Speech in One HourThe EU has ordered social media firms to delete content they consider “illegal” with one hour, as they ramp up efforts to censor the internet.breitbart.com531:10 PM – Mar 2, 2018Twitter Ads info and privacy95 people are talking about this

“This judgment has major implications for online freedom of expression around the world,” warned Thomas Hughes, executive director of the ARTICLE 19 charitable organization, which “works for a world where all people everywhere can freely express themselves and actively engage in public life without fear of discrimination.”

“Compelling social media platforms like Facebook to automatically remove posts regardless of their context will infringe our right to free speech and restrict the information we see online,” Hughes complained.

“The judgment does not take into account the limitations of technology when it comes to automated filters.

“The ruling also means that a court in one EU member-state will be able to order the removal of social media posts in other countries, even if they are not considered unlawful there. This would set a dangerous precedent where the courts of one country can control what internet users in another country can see. This could be open to abuse, particularly by regimes with weak human rights records.”

Breitbart London@BreitbartLondon

FULL TEXT: The EU And Facebook’s New Online ‘Code Of Conduct’ Policing Free Speech http://www.breitbart.com/big-government/2016/05/31/full-text-eu-facebooks-new-online-code-conduct-policing-free-speech/ … Source