EU warns Elon Musk ‘disinformation’ is spreading on X after Hamas attack
The EU has warned billionaire and X boss Elon Musk that his social media site is being used to spread “disinformation” after the Hamas’ attack on Israel.
The EU’s industry chief said “violent and terrorist content” had not been taken down, despite warnings – as is required by EU law.
Following the terrorist attacks by Hamas against 🇮🇱, we have indications of X/Twitter being used to disseminate illegal content & disinformation in the EU.
— Thierry Breton (@ThierryBreton) October 10, 2023
Urgent letter to @elonmusk on #DSA obligations ⤵️ pic.twitter.com/avMm1LHq54
Musk said X has taken action and has removed newly created Hamas-affiliated accounts.
The letter to Musk regarding the misinformation did not give details on the disinformation but said that instances of “fake and manipulated images and facts” were widely reported on the social media platform.
“I therefore invite you to urgently ensure that your systems are effective, and report on the crisis measures taken to my team,” Thierry Breton, Commissioner for the Internal Market of the European Union wrote in his letter which he shared on social media.
Musk has asked the EU to list the alleged violations.
Breton’s letter comes days after Hamas launched an attack on Israel, killing over 1,000 residents and taking around 100 hostages.
In response, Israeli forces have launched a wave of missile strikes on Gaza which have killed more than 900 people and cut off water and electricity supplies.