Technology
Thursday, October 12th, 2023 1:45 pm EDT
Key Points
- X’s Response to Potential Illegal Content: Linda Yaccarino, CEO of X (formerly known as Twitter), has outlined the social media platform’s approach to addressing potential illegal content related to the Israel-Hamas conflict. This response comes after one of the European Union’s top regulators expressed concerns about X being used to spread disinformation. Following the Hamas attack on Israel, X formed a leadership group to assess the situation.
- Actions Taken by X: X has identified and removed hundreds of Hamas-affiliated accounts since the conflict began. Yaccarino detailed the company’s policies regarding violent speech, synthetic or manipulated media, and content from perpetrators of violent attacks. X is committed to serving the public conversation during critical moments and is dedicated to addressing and removing illegal content in real-time, including proactive efforts. The platform has a strict stance against terrorist organizations and violent extremist groups.
- EU Concerns and Regulatory Landscape: The European Union’s Commissioner for Internal Market, Thierry Breton, raised concerns about X’s role in disseminating illegal content and disinformation related to the Israel-Hamas conflict. The EU introduced the Digital Services Act (DSA), a comprehensive regulation that requires online platforms to police illegal content more aggressively or face substantial fines. Breton specifically pointed out a change in X’s public interest policy and reports of fake and manipulated images and facts circulating on the platform. Yaccarino stated that X has responded to over 80 takedown requests in the EU within the required timelines and urged the European Commission to provide more details regarding alleged illegal content. The article also mentions that Breton sent a similar letter to Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg, emphasizing vigilance concerning content related to the conflict. The EU’s scrutiny of tech giants and regulatory efforts, such as the DSA, continue to evolve, impacting the way online platforms handle content.
Linda Yaccarino, the CEO of X (formerly known as Twitter), addressed concerns about the platform’s role in disseminating content related to the Israel-Hamas conflict. Yaccarino’s statement comes in response to Thierry Breton, the European Union’s commissioner for internal market, who expressed worries that X was being used to spread disinformation and illegal content in the EU following the recent Hamas attacks on Israel.
Yaccarino explained that X had assembled a leadership group to assess the situation and had already removed hundreds of Hamas-affiliated accounts since the conflict began. She emphasized X’s commitment to addressing illegal content, including violent speech, synthetic or manipulated media, and content from perpetrators of violent attacks. Yaccarino stated that there is no place on X for terrorist organizations or violent extremist groups, and such accounts are removed in real-time through proactive efforts.
Thierry Breton, in his letter to X owner Elon Musk, raised concerns about changes in X’s public interest policy and reports of fake and manipulated images and facts circulating on the platform. Breton expects X to cooperate with relevant law enforcement authorities and Europol and respond promptly to their requests.
Yaccarino highlighted that X had responded to more than 80 takedown requests in the EU within the required timelines and requested the European Commission to provide more details regarding the alleged illegal content on the platform. She also noted that the company had not received any notices from Europol related to illegal content on X.
Thierry Breton also sent a similar letter to Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg, urging vigilance regarding content related to the Israel-Hamas conflict. The European Union has been increasing scrutiny of large tech platforms, especially with the introduction of the Digital Services Act (DSA), which mandates stricter regulation of illegal content dissemination online, with the risk of substantial fines for non-compliance.
For full original article on CNBC, please click here: https://www.cnbc.com/2023/10/12/elon-musks-x-responds-to-eu-over-illegal-israel-hamas-content.html
