Twitter has announced its withdrawal from the European Union’s voluntary “Code of Practice” aimed at combating online disinformation. Thierry Breton, the EU’s internal market commissioner, revealed Twitter’s decision in a tweet, stating, “You can run but you can’t hide. Our teams are ready for enforcement,” in reference to the forthcoming Digital Services Act (DSA) of the EU. The DSA, effective from August 25th, will require major online platforms, including Twitter, to take a more proactive approach to content moderation.
Notably, Twitter does not currently have a communications department that could be contacted for comment, as stated by Engadget. Prior to Elon Musk’s assumption of leadership in October 2022, Twitter had joined the EU’s Code of Practice against disinformation in 2018, along with companies such as Meta (formerly Facebook), Google, and TikTok. While participation in the Code is voluntary, the EU announced in June 2022 that adhering to the agreement would contribute to DSA compliance. The timing of Twitter’s withdrawal from the Code, merely three months before the EU initiates enforcement of the DSA, suggests the company’s potential intention to circumvent the bloc’s content moderation regulations, as observed by TechCrunch.
However, disregarding the DSA could prove to be a costly battle for Twitter and Elon Musk. The legislation empowers EU officials to levy penalties of up to 10 percent of a company’s global annual turnover for infractions, with the possibility of fines reaching 20 percent of worldwide turnover for repeated instances of non-compliance. Additionally, the European Commission has emphasized that persistent non-compliance may result in the EU blocking access to the offending services.
Twitter’s decision to withdraw from the EU’s Code of Practice against disinformation raises concerns about the company’s commitment to combatting online falsehoods and adhering to regulatory measures. It also underscores the challenges faced by social media platforms in balancing freedom of expression with the responsibility to curb the spread of disinformation and harmful content. The EU’s enforcement of the DSA will undoubtedly serve as a significant test for Twitter and its approach to content moderation within the European Union.
