Musk denounces European Commission's alleged censorship agreement with X platform

(MENAFN) Elon Musk, the American billionaire and owner of the X platform (formerly known as Twitter), has claimed that the European Commission offered the platform an illegal secret agreement aimed at imposing censorship on freedom of expression, which the company allegedly refused. In contrast, Musk hinted that other unnamed platforms accepted the agreement. This revelation came in response to the European Commission's accusation that the X platform violated European Union regulations regarding online content. The Commission specifically criticized the platform’s blue tick verification system, alleging it misleads users.

The dispute escalated as the X platform contested the European Union's evaluation of its adherence to the Digital Services Act. In a bold statement on the platform, Musk expressed his readiness to engage in a public legal battle, asserting that the people of Europe deserve to know the truth. He emphasized that, unlike other platforms, X did not accept the alleged secret deal proposed by the European Commission.

These allegations could potentially result in significant fines for the X platform and necessitate substantial operational changes. This case marks the first charges brought under the Digital Services Act following a thorough seven-month investigation. The new regulations mandate that online platforms and major search engines actively address illegal content and public safety threats.

The European Commission further criticized the blue check mark system on X, stating that it deviates from industry standards and negatively affects users' ability to make informed decisions regarding the trustworthiness of accounts they engage with. This ongoing conflict underscores the broader challenges and controversies surrounding content regulation and freedom of expression on digital platforms. 

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