X, formerly Twitter, is now under official investigation in the European Union. The steps followed one another for the social network, which was the subject of a preliminary procedure for the first time, since October 12, for “false information”, “violent and terrorist content” and “incitement to hatred” in the context of the attacks. of Hamas against Israel. , which occurred on October 7.
The European Union has just tightened its measures, considering that the responses provided by the social network were insufficient. From now on, if Twitter does not comply with the Commission’s requests, the social network runs the risk of suffering various scales of punishment.
Firstly, a fine that can reach up to 6% of the group’s turnover and, secondly, the ban on operating in the European Union, as provided for in the European regulation on digital services, implemented last August.
Threads, the alternative?
Given the responses provided so far by Twitter and through its owner, Elon Musk, the social network could well become the first example of the new legislation to suffer the consequences of non-compliance.
Especially since, at the same time, Meta (Facebook, Instagram) has just launched its social network Threads, a kind of facsimile of Twitter. Now that a potential Twitter competitor is available on the market, the European Union may be more inclined to get rid of it, if it deems it non-compliant.
In addition, Meta launched its social network in the EU long after having offered it in the United States, to meet the expectations of the Commission, also a way to show its credentials in the face of the new laws. The European Commissioner, Thierry Breton, had already urged Internet users to join one of Twitter’s competing platforms, created by his former boss.
The European Union’s formal investigation will consist, from now on, of interviews with people linked to Twitter and the collection of evidence.
Source: BFM TV
