LONDON (AP) 鈥� A top European Union official warned Elon Musk on Wednesday that Twitter needs to from hate speech, misinformation and other harmful content to avoid violating new rules that threaten tech giants with big fines or even a ban in the 27-nation bloc.
Thierry Breton, the EU's commissioner for digital policy, told the billionaire Tesla CEO that the social media platform will have to significantly increase efforts to , known as the Digital Services Act, set to take effect next year.
The two held a video call to discuss Twitter's preparedness for the law, which will require tech companies to better police their platforms for material that, for instance, promotes terrorism, child sexual abuse, and commercial scams.
It鈥檚 part of a that has made Europe the global leader in the push to rein in the power of social media companies, potentially setting up a clash with Musk鈥檚 vision for a more unfettered Twitter. U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen also said Wednesday that an investigation into Musk's $44 billion purchase was not off the table.
Breton said he was pleased to hear that Musk considers the EU rules 鈥渁 sensible approach to implement on a worldwide basis.鈥�
鈥淏ut let鈥檚 also be clear that there is still huge work ahead,鈥� Musk said, according to a readout of the call released by Breton鈥檚 office. 鈥淭witter will have to implement transparent user policies, significantly reinforce content moderation and protect freedom of speech, tackle disinformation with resolve, and limit targeted advertising.鈥�
After Musk, a self-described 鈥渇ree speech absolutist,鈥� bought Twitter a month ago, groups that monitor the platform for racist, antisemitic and other toxic speech, such the Cyber Civil Rights Initiative, say it鈥檚 been on the rise on the world鈥檚 de facto digital public square.
Musk has signaled an interest in rolling back many of Twitter鈥檚 previous rules meant to combat misinformation, most recently by policy. He already that had violated Twitter鈥檚 content rules and had promised a 鈥済eneral amnesty鈥� restoring most suspended accounts starting this week.
Twitter didn鈥檛 respond to an email request for comment. In a separate blog post Wednesday, the company said 鈥渉uman safety鈥� is its top priority and that its trust and safety team 鈥渃ontinues its diligent work to keep the platform safe from hateful conduct, abusive behavior, and any violation of Twitter鈥檚 rules."
Musk, however, has , along with an untold number of contractors responsible for content moderation. , including the company鈥檚 head of trust and safety.
In the call Wednesday, Musk agreed to let the EU's executive Commission carry out a 鈥渟tress test" at Twitter鈥檚 headquarters early next year to help the platform comply with the new rules ahead of schedule, the readout said.
That will also help the company prepare for an 鈥渆xtensive independent audit" as required by the new law, which is aimed at protecting internet users from illegal content and reducing the spread of harmful but legal material.
Violations could result in huge fines of up to 6% of a company鈥檚 annual global revenue or even a ban on operating in the European Union's single market.
Along with European regulators, Musk risks running afoul of Apple and Google, which power most of the world鈥檚 smartphones. Both have stringent policies against misinformation, hate speech and other misconduct, previously enforced to boot apps like the social media platform Parler from their devices. Apps must also meet certain data security, privacy and performance standards.
Musk tweeted without providing evidence this week that Apple 鈥渢hreatened to withhold Twitter from its App Store, but won鈥檛 tell us why.鈥� Apple hasn鈥檛 commented but Musk backtracked on his claim Wednesday, saying he met with Apple CEO Tim Cook who 鈥渨as clear that Apple never considered鈥� removing Twitter.
Meanwhile, U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen walked back her statements about whether Musk鈥檚 purchase of Twitter warrants government review.
鈥淚 misspoke,鈥� she said at The New York Times鈥� DealBook Summit on Wednesday, referring to a CBS interview this month where she said there was 鈥渘o basis鈥� to review the Twitter purchase.
The Treasury secretary oversees the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States, an interagency committee that investigates the national security risks from foreign investments in American firms.
鈥淚f there are such risks, it would be appropriate for the Treasury to have a look,鈥� Yellen told The New York Times.
She declined to confirm whether CFIUS is currently investigating Musk鈥檚 Twitter purchase.
Billionaire Saudi Prince Alwaleed bin Talal is, through his investment company, .
___
Associated Press writers Fatima Hussein in Washington and Matt O'Brien in Providence, Rhode Island, contributed.
Kelvin Chan, The Associated Press
