According to a report published by Reuters, Elon Musk (the owner of social media platform X, formerly Twitter), on Wednesday made an announcement informing that he is considering removing the service altogether from Europe in reaction to a new internet platform regulation in the region.

People acquainted with the information stated that the magnate had pondered discontinue the app’s availability in the region or blocking users in the European Union (EU) from accessing it. This August, the EU adopted the Digital Services Act (DSA) which prescribes rules for foiling the spread of harmful content, prohibiting or limiting certain user-targeting practices, and sharing some internal data with regulators and allied researchers, among other things.

Thierry Breton (European Union industry chief) on October 11 pressed X owner Elon Musk to tackle disinformation on his social media platform in the wake of attack on Israel by Hamas in order to comply with the fresh EU online content rules. Breton on Tuesday stated that X (formerly Twitter) is being used for distributing illegal content and disinformation in the EU. Musk reacted to Breton’s post, stating, “Our policy is that everything is open source and transparent, an approach that I know the EU supports. Please list the violations you allude to on X, so that the public can see them. Merci beaucoup.”

Breton reacted by stating that it was up to Musk to demonstrate that he was walking the talk, while adding that the EU would strictly enforce compliance with the DSA. “Vu, merci. You are well aware of your users’ — and authorities’— reports on fake content and glorification of violence. Up to you to demonstrate that you walk the talk. My team remains at your disposal to ensure DSA compliance, which the EU will continue to enforce rigorously,” he added.

What is Digital Services Act (DSA)?

Digital Services Act is the fresh legislation passed by the European Commission. DSA requires large online platforms like X to have transparent and effective systems in place for the moderation and deletion of misleading, false, and harmful info. This act embraced by the European Union in August sets forth rules for thwarting the spread of harmful content, sharing some internal data with regulators and allied researchers, and prohibiting or restricting certain user-targeting practices, among other things.

X facing fire over violation of the DSA in case of Hamas issue

With the internet flooded with misinformation regarding the Israel-Hamas war quickly going viral on X reportedly, the platform is believed to be already in violation of the DSA. EU Commissioner Thierry Breton said just recently that the Commission is formally “investigating X’s compliance” with the new law and has requested detailed info from the platform on its actions to lessen and get rid of harmful or toxic information.