The European Commission has threatened to take action against Elon Musk over his Monday evening interview with Donald Trump, UnHerd reports.
In a public letter, European Commissioner Thierry Breton said that the Commission is closely monitoring the situation. Breton warned Musk that any dissemination of speech which could “incite violence, hate and racism” could be used in the ongoing EU case against Musk.
In July, the EU Commission charged Musk with DSA violations involving alleged disinformation and illegal hate speech, threatening millions of dollars in fines.
Should the broadcast violate the EU’s Digital Services Act, Breton said the Commission may use “interim measures” to “protect EU citizens from serious harm. This strongly suggests that the interview could be pulled from the internet in the EU.
Breton continued: “We are monitoring the potential risks in the EU associated with the dissemination of content that may incite violence, hate and racism in conjunction with major political — or societal —events around the world, including debates and interviews in the context of elections.”
Notably, the commissioner referenced unrest in the UK resulting from the Southport killings and subsequent riots. UK authorities have blamed social media misinformation for stoking anti-Muslim rhetoric and riots, singling out Elon Musk’s X as particularly culpable.
Musk himself has been sharply critical of the UK, skewering its social media policies as censorious and accusing the country of running a two-tiered justice system which favours immigrants and Muslims. The X owner has claimed that “civil war is inevitable”, drawing parallels between the UK and the Soviet Union.
Keir Starmer has argued that there’s “no justification” for Musk’s comments.
However, Sir Keir Starmer has suggested the Government will review social media laws in the wake of the riots.
The Prime Minister said Labour will need to “look more broadly” at the sector after Sadiq Khan, the Mayor of London, said ministers should check whether existing legislation to protect against online harms is fit for purpose.
Full story is available here.
It’s now abundantly clear that following recent public disorder an anti-free speech ratchet effect is being set in motion.
The crackdown, when it comes, won’t just target those directly participating in or inciting violence.
What will happen, just as it always happens, is that new or newly strengthened laws will be wielded against those who dissent from ‘progressive’ orthodoxy.
If you’re an FSU supporter, now might be a good time to become a member. Click here to join us and help support the work we do, standing up for the speech rights of our 14,000+ members in an increasingly censorious culture.
