European Union Threatens Sanctions Against Elon Musk Over Journalist Suspensions
The European Union warns Elon Musk of impending sanctions after Twitter suspends several journalists who cover the platform and its owner. Officials cite violations of media freedom under the newly enacted Digital Services Act.
The European Union threatens Elon Musk with sanctions after Twitter abruptly suspends several high-profile journalists who cover the social media platform and its owner. EU Commission Vice President Vera Jourova expresses deep concern over the arbitrary removal of these reporters, stating clearly that the action violates fundamental rights. Musk claims the journalists broke platform rules against doxxing by sharing information related to his private jet tracking.
Jourova emphasizes that the EU's Digital Services Act requires large tech platforms to respect media freedom and protect user rights. She warns that there are red lines and promises swift sanctions against the company, though she does not provide specific details about the exact penalties. Under the new rules, Twitter faces potential fines of up to six percent of its global annual revenue for any breaches.
The Digital Services Act officially takes effect in mid-November and mandates that major platforms reduce online harms while maintaining strict transparency. Big Tech companies currently have a timeline to report their active user numbers and achieve full compliance with the bloc's regulations. This mounting regulatory pressure adds to the ongoing controversies surrounding Musk's chaotic takeover and massive layoffs at the social media giant.