In a significant move, Twitter has opted out of the European Union’s voluntary code aimed at combating disinformation, according to EU officials. Thierry Breton, the EU’s internal market commissioner, announced the withdrawal on Twitter, emphasizing that new legislation would compel Twitter’s compliance.
Breton’s tweet warned, “Obligations remain. You can run but you can’t hide.” Starting from August 25, Twitter will be legally obligated to combat disinformation within the EU, and Breton assured that enforcement measures would be implemented.
While Twitter has yet to confirm its position on the disinformation code, the company has not responded to requests for comment.
Numerous tech giants, including Meta (owner of Facebook and Instagram), TikTok, Google, Microsoft, and Twitch, have already pledged their commitment to the EU’s disinformation code. Launched in June last year, the code aims to prevent the exploitation of disinformation and fake news while promoting transparency and curbing the influence of bots and fake accounts. Signatory companies can select specific pledges, such as collaborating with fact-checkers or monitoring political advertising.
Under Elon Musk’s ownership, Twitter’s moderation efforts have reportedly decreased, leading to concerns about the proliferation of disinformation. Critics argue that the reduction in moderation has allowed disinformation to spread more easily.
Former Twitter employees and experts claim that a dedicated team responsible for countering coordinated disinformation campaigns has significantly diminished in size, as specialists either resigned or were laid off.
Recent investigations conducted by the BBC revealed the presence of numerous Russian and Chinese state propaganda accounts thriving on Twitter. However, Twitter CEO Elon Musk asserts that misinformation has decreased since he assumed control in October last year.
In addition to the voluntary code, the EU has enacted the Digital Services Act (DSA), a law that imposes stricter obligations on companies to combat illegal online content.
Starting from August 25, Twitter, being a platform with over 45 million monthly active users in the EU, will be legally required to comply with the DSA regulations. This means Twitter must implement a system for users to report illegal content, respond promptly to notifications, and implement measures to address the spread of disinformation.
An anonymous European Commission official quoted by AFP news agency remarked, “If (Elon Musk) doesn’t take the code seriously, then it’s better that he quits.”
Twitter’s withdrawal from the EU’s disinformation code raises concerns about its commitment to tackling misinformation and complying with forthcoming regulations. As the August deadline approaches, stakeholders will be closely watching to see how Twitter responds to these new challenges.