The platform Xformerly known as Twitter, is facing a serious problem disinformation regarding the conflict in the Gaza Strip and, after calls from Europe, it seems that Elon Musk wants to close the social network rather than moderating content.
Musk could shut down X in Europe instead of stopping misinformation
Europe has officially opened an investigation into X (Twitter), due to the large amount of fake news on the platform after the Hamas attack and Israel’s response. Video game footage that was presented as news coverage of a terrorist attack in Israel. Fireworks celebrations in Algeria, which had nothing to do with the conflict. Three-year-old videos of the Syrian civil war passed as current. Even the footballer Ronaldo wrapped in a Palestinian flagwhich never happened.
Elon Musk, faced with this challenge, has expressed his frustration regarding the new European regulations introduced by the European Commission. In particular, the Digital Services Act created additional obligations for online platformsincluding greater control over the spread of harmful content.
So, according to Business Insider, Musk has discussed the possibility of block access to X in Europe in response to these regulations. This move could reduce Twitter traffic by 9%. An important slice, even if less than the amount of users lost since the beginning of Musk’s management.
The bloc would avoid sanctions from Europe, which could perhaps be worth more than the publicity coming from the EU. But it remains to be seen whether Musk will actually implement this solution.