Elon Musk-owned Twitter will have to respect EU laws: commissioner

In buying Twitter, Mr. Musk has vowed to take a robust free speech stance on the platform

The European Union warned billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk on Tuesday that his soon-to-be acquired online platform Twitter will have to comply with Europe’s new laws curbing the power of big tech.

“Whether on online harassment, the sale of counterfeit products... child pornography, or calls for acts of terrorism... Twitter will have to adapt to our European regulations which do not exist in the United States,” EU commissioner Thierry Breton told AFP.

In buying Twitter, Mr. Musk has vowed to take a robust free speech stance on the platform, raising concerns that it will become a host for hate and propaganda and leave the onus on users to combat bullying and misinformation.  

If Mr. Musk carries through on his pledge, he will swiftly be confronted by the Digital Services Act, a major piece of EU legislation ensuring tougher consequences when platforms host banned content.

“No matter the shareholders, Twitter will from now on have to totally adapt to European regulations,” said Mr. Breton, who handles the EU’s industrial policy portfolio and was a key backer of the new laws.

“The law will now be very clear, much clearer in Europe than in the United States, with more rules in Europe than in the United States,” he said.

Asked about a possible return of former US president Donald Trump to Twitter, Mr. Breton said that the DSA also regulates banishment decisions by setting conditions and possibilities for appeal.