The European Union (EU) will, for the time being, stop advertising on the social media X, formerly known as Twitter, citing an “alarming increase in the amount” of hate speech and misinformation on that platform owned by Elon Musk, the European Commission announced two days ago.
A more drastic move could follow next year when the Commission – the executive body of the EU – could fine X with more than 100 million dollars if it is determined that Musk’s company violated the new, strict rules of the EU regarding problematic content on digital media.
“In recent weeks, we have seen an alarming increase in the amount of disinformation and hate speech on several social media platforms,” said Commission spokesman Johannes Bahrke.
According to him, the Commission has advised European institutions to “refrain from advertising” on platforms where such content is present.
Bark added that he can only confirm that X is subject to a temporary ban on advertising.
In October, a few days after the militant Palestinian movement Hamas launched an attack on Israel, the European Commission asked X for detailed information on what actions it had taken in the fight to prevent the spread of “illegal content and disinformation” on its platform.
For now, the commission is studying the response of X and is in the process of deciding on further steps.
The Commission requested similar information from TikTok and Meta, which owns Facebook and Instagram.
