European Union Urges Elon Musk to Eliminate Misinformation on Platform X
The European Union has called on Elon Musk to take immediate action in removing misinformation concerning the situation between Israel and Hamas on the Platform X. The platform has been found to be spreading graphic content, violence, and hate speech in connection with the conflict.
In a letter to Elon Musk, European Commissioner Thierry Breton expressed concern over the presence of fake images on Platform X, particularly those relating to military operations and video games, emphasizing their misleading nature.
External observation groups have noted that the platform is riddled with false information regarding the war, and that even the team of content moderators has been overwhelmed since its acquisition by Musk last year.
Fake and manipulated images circulating on Platform X include “re-profiled old images of armed conflicts or military personnel that were actually created from video games,” said Breton in his letter on Tuesday. “It is evident that this is clearly false or misleading information.”
Breton, who heads the EU on digital rights, also warned Musk about the presence of “potentially illegal content” on the platform that violates EU laws, urging him to promptly and diligently remove such content.
In response, the platform stated that it is making every effort to address this crisis situation and has implemented a policy that allows users to assist in identifying misinformation.
Emerson Brooking, an analyst at the Atlantic Council, criticized Musk for recommending specific accounts to follow regarding the war, as one of them allegedly spreads toxic information. However, Platform X has stated that it has strengthened measures to combat anti-Semitic speech and has already removed hundreds of accounts attempting to manipulate popular topics.