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☆ A new version of TikTok that rewards you with Amazon vouchers and gift cards for watching videos is facing a crackdown in Europe
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-23 | by ( Matthew Loh | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Read previewDigital regulators in Europe are clamping down on a new feature by TikTok that rewards users for consuming videos and interacting with creators, citing addiction concerns among children. The European Commission said on Monday that it had opened formal proceedings against TikTok Lite, a spinoff version of the TikTok app that uses less mobile data and launched in Spain and France in March. Users can earn such points on the Lite app by watching videos for up to 85 minutes daily. "We suspect TikTok 'Lite' could be as toxic and addictive as cigarettes 'light,'" said Thierry Breton, commissioner for the internal market in the EU. "The TikTok Lite rewards hub is not available to under 18s, and there is a daily limit on video watch tasks," the spokesperson said.

Persons: —, TikTok, Thierry Breton, Tiktok, TikTok didn't, Breton, it's Organizations: Service, European, Business, AFP, Digital Services Locations: Europe, Spain, France, EU

☆ Europe opens competition probes covering Chinese solar panel makers over subsidies
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-03 | by ( Anna Cooban | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

London CNN —The European Union has launched investigations into two groups of companies that include Chinese solar panel makers in the latest salvo against what it suspects is unfair competition from China’s vast manufacturing sector. “There are sufficient indications that both (consortia) have been granted foreign subsidies that distort the internal (EU) market,” the European Commission said in a statement. The European Commission has said it may impose tariffs on Chinese biodiesel imports if dumping is confirmed. Like biodiesel, solar panels are an important part of Europe’s efforts to transition to an economy powered by clean technologies. Last month, Premier Li Qiang told the country’s parliament that China would focus on exporting more of its “new trio” of products, namely electric vehicles, solar panels and lithium batteries.

Persons: Thierry Breton, Jens Eskelund, Li Qiang Organizations: London CNN, European Union, European Commission, Green Energy Technology Co, Shanghai Electric Group Co, European, European Union Chamber of Commerce, EU Locations: Romania, EU, China, Europe

☆ Digital Markets Act: Apple, Google and Meta at risk of ‘heavy’ fines as Europe launches new probes
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-25 | by ( Olesya Dmitracova | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

London CNN —The European Union has launched investigations into Apple, Google and Facebook parent Meta on suspicion that they are failing to comply with a new landmark European law designed to promote competition in digital services. The European Commission said it “suspects” that various practices by all three companies “fall short of effective compliance” with the Digital Markets Act (DMA), which went into effect earlier this month. If the probes find a “lack of full compliance,” they could face “heavy fines,” said European Commissioner Thierry Breton. The practices the European Commission is investigating include what it calls Meta’s “pay or consent” approach. Last October, Meta (META) launched a subscription service, called “Subscription for no ads,” allowing European users of Facebook and Instagram to pay up to €12.99 ($14) a month for ad-free versions.

Persons: “, ”, Thierry Breton, Elon Musk’s, Meta’s, Meta’s ‘ Organizations: London CNN, European Union, Apple, Google, European Commission, Digital Markets, Microsoft, Commission, Meta, Facebook, CNN

☆ Europe is trying to regulate AI. That could backfire.
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-14 | by ( Beatrice Nolan | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

One AI expert said it risks creating "AI policy tax havens" as countries try to attract investment. "Europe is NOW a global standard-setter in AI," Thierry Breton, the European internal market commissioner, said on X. Other countries, including China, have already brought in rules around specific uses of AI. AdvertisementThe legislation has been questioned by some commentators, such as AI and deepfakes expert Henry Ajder, who called it "very ambitious." The EU legislation plans to assign the risks of AI applications into three categories, with applications that cause unacceptable risk set to be banned.

Persons: —, Thierry Breton, Henry Ajder, Neil Serebryany, Avani Desai, Schellman, Marcus Evans, Norton Rose Fulbright Organizations: EU, Intelligence, Service Locations: Europe, China, EU, California

☆ Europe investigates Big Tech’s use of generative AI
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-14 | by ( Brian Fung | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

Regulators at the European Commission say they’re particularly concerned about how generative AI could sow chaos in the run-up to this summer’s EU parliamentary elections. Online platforms will have until April 5 to respond to questions about steps they’ve taken to prevent AI tools from spreading election misinformation. The companies’ responses could be incorporated into a series of election security guidelines for tech platforms the European Commission plans to finalize by March 27, another commission official said. The AI investigation also covers a broader set of topics including how platforms are addressing generative AI’s impact on user privacy, intellectual property, civil rights and children’s safety and mental health. “One of the grievances we have is the ability to manipulate the service through automated means and this can include generative AI, so yes, there’s a link to the ongoing investigation,” one of the commission officials said.

Persons: “, ”, Linda Yaccarino, Thierry Breton Organizations: CNN, European Union, Meta, Microsoft, Commission, Digital Services, Elon Locations: Israel, EU

Just_super | E+ | Getty ImagesThe European Union's parliament on Wednesday endorsed the world's first major set of regulatory ground rules to govern the mediatized artificial intelligence at the forefront of tech investment. President of the European Parliament, Roberta Metsola, described the act as trail-blazing, saying it would enable innovation, while safeguarding fundamental rights. "Artificial intelligence is already very much part of our daily lives. Born in 2021, the EU AI Act divides the technology into categories of risk, ranging from "unacceptable" — which would see the technology banned — to high, medium and low hazard. "The AI Act is not the end of the journey, but, rather, the starting point for a new model of governance built around technology.

Persons: Thierry Breton, Roberta Metsola, Dragos, Tudorache Organizations: Intelligence, Wednesday, EU, European, Union, Digital Markets, — U.S, Apple, Meta, Microsoft, Google, Nvidia Locations: Europe, Germany, France, U.S, India

☆ Apple backs down against ‘Fortnite"-maker Epic Games amid EU investigation threat
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-08 | by ( Brian Fung | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

Apple relenting means Epic will be able to bring “Fortnite” back to iPhones in Europe, Epic said in a blog post. “Apple has told us and committed to the European Commission that they will reinstate our developer account. Apple said it reached the decision “following conversations with Epic” in which Epic committed to following Apple’s new EU-focused policies. “Epic Sweden AB has been permitted to re-sign the developer agreement and accepted into the Apple Developer Program,” Apple said in a statement. Epic CEO Tim Sweeney wrote back to Apple promising to abide by its terms, but Apple rescinded the developer account anyway.

Persons: “, Fortnite, Fortnite ”, Apple, ” Apple, Thierry Breton, Tim Sweeney, ” Organizations: CNN, Apple, European Union, European Commission, Markets, Apple Developer, EU Locations: Europe, iPhones, pushback

LONDON (AP) — The European Union said Monday it is investigating whether TikTok has broken the bloc's strict new digital rules for cleaning up social media and keeping internet users safe. The European Commission, the EU's executive branch, said it has “opened formal proceedings to assess" whether TikTok has breached the Digital Services Act, which took effect last year. The commission is focusing on whether TikTok is doing enough to curb “systemic risks” stemming from its design, including "algorithmic systems" that might stimulate “behavioral addictions." The EU has deemed nearly two dozen of the biggest online and social media platforms including TikTok, as ones that deserve the highest level of scrutiny under the DSA and hefty fines if they fail to comply. The bloc is already investigating Elon Musk’s X, previously known as Twitter, for breaches including failure to curb the spread of illegal content.

Persons: TikTok, ” Thierry Breton, We’ll, Elon Musk’s Organizations: Union, European Commission, Digital Services, DSA, EU

☆ Belgian PM Backs EU Bonds to Boost Defence Spending
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-16 | by ( Feb. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +4 min

By Andrew GrayBRUSSELS (Reuters) - Joint European Union borrowing could help fund higher defence spending but governments would still have to make tough political choices to sustain it, Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo said. To succeed, proponents will need to convince those traditionally sceptical of EU joint borrowing such as Germany, the Netherlands and Nordic nations. European defence spending has been on an upward curve since Russia first invaded Ukraine and seized Crimea in 2014. NATO said on Wednesday it expected defence spending by its European members would grow by $33 billion this year to $380 billion. Last year, NATO estimated Belgium would spend 1.13 % of GDP on defence in 2023, second lowest among NATO members.

Persons: Andrew Gray BRUSSELS, Alexander De Croo, Donald Trump, Kaja Kallas, Emmanuel Macron, Charles Michel, De Croo, Croo, Thierry Breton, Andrew Gray, John Irish, Alex Richardson Organizations: European Union, Belgian, NATO, Estonian, European, Reuters, Munich Security Conference, Nordic, European Defence Fund, EU Locations: European, Ukraine, Munich, Germany, Netherlands, EU, Russia, Crimea, Belgium, Europe, France, Paris

☆ Apple faces 'strong action' if App Store changes fall short, EU's Breton says
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-26 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Apple faces strong action if changes to its App Store do not meet incoming European Union regulations, the bloc's industry chief said on Friday. However, critics have said the changes do not go far enough, arguing Apple's fee structure remains unfair, and that the changes may be in violation of the DMA. Under Apple's new EU regime, developers will still have to submit apps to Apple for review for cybersecurity risks and obvious fraud. Apple said on Friday the core technology fee only applies to developers who choose to opt into the new business terms. Under the new business terms for EU apps, Apple estimates that 99 percent of developers would reduce or maintain the fees they owe to Apple, the company said.

Persons: Thierry Breton, Apple Organizations: Apple, Union, Digital Markets, Reuters, EU, Meta, Spotify

☆ Europe wants to Trump-proof in case of a second term. But that is not an easy task
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-14 | by ( Luke Mcgee | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

CNN —Former US President Donald Trump briefly returned as a central character in European politics earlier this week. Multiple EU officials and diplomats noted to CNN that his sudden recollection came at a particularly sensitive time, as the EU attempts to build its own defense capabilities outside of the US-led NATO alliance. Whether Trump actually made these comments or not is largely immaterial to European officials. And his hostility toward the Ukraine war effort has an impact even now, playing into the Republican Party’s reluctance to pass more US funding for Ukraine. Christine Lagarde, head of the European Central Bank, said only this week that Trump’s return would be a “threat” for Europe.

Persons: Donald Trump, Thierry Breton, Trump, Ursula von der Leyen, ” Breton’s, Russia’s Vladimir Putin, Letitia James, Spencer Platt, ”, Joe Biden, Europe’s, Ian Bond, ” Donald Trump, Jim Watson, Angela Merkel, Jesco Denzel, there’s, Christine Lagarde Organizations: CNN, Former, European, Republican, NATO, New York, Getty, Ukraine, “, Trump, EU, Centre, Economic, European Central Bank Locations: Europe, Iowa, Ukraine, New York City, Brussels, EU, United States, America, China, Davos, AFP, Russia, Beijing, Moscow, Charlevoix , Canada, European

☆ President Trump warned that the US would 'never' help Europe if attacked, a top EU official said
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-13 | by ( Alia Shoaib | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

A top EU official revealed that Trump said the US would not help Europe if attacked. The official said it was a "big wake-up call" and expressed fears about a second Trump presidency. As president, Trump was openly critical of the EU and questioned the US commitment to NATO. AdvertisementFormer President Donald Trump privately warned that the US would "never" help the EU if it were attacked, a top European Union official has revealed. According to Breton, Trump then said: "By the way, NATO is dead, and we will leave, we will quit NATO.""

Persons: Trump, —, Donald Trump, Thierry Breton, Ursula von der Leyen, Breton, Vladimir Putin, Joe Biden Organizations: EU, Trump, NATO, Service, European Union, French, Economic, Politico, Kremlin, Republican Locations: Europe, Davos, Breton, United States, Brussels, Ukraine, EU

A padlock is seen in front of the word 'spyware' and binary code in this illustration taken May 4, 2022. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsBRUSSELS, Dec 5 (Reuters) - Lobby group Japan Association of New Economy has joined U.S. Big Tech to warn against proposed EU cybersecurity labelling rules that they said could hamper their access to the bloc's markets, according to a letter sent to the EU industry chief. A requirement that Amazon (AMZN.O), Alphabet's (GOOGL.O) Google, Microsoft (MSFT.O) and other non-EU cloud providers set up a joint venture with an EU-based company to qualify for the EU cybersecurity label has triggered criticism from some EU countries and foreign vendors. The Japan Association of New Economy also slammed these requirements. The Japan Association of New Economy is a business lobby group focused on e-business and developing new industries.

Persons: Dado Ruvic, Hiroshi Mikitani, Thierry Breton, Mikitani, Foo Yun Chee, Dave Dolan, Miral Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, Japan Association of New, U.S, Big Tech, European Union, Google, Microsoft, EU, Reuters, Japan Digital Partnership, Thomson Locations: EU, Japan, Japanese, Brussels, Tokyo

The proposal to classify AI systems by four levels of risk — from minimal to unacceptable — was essentially intended as product safety legislation. That changed with the boom in generative AI, which sparked wonder by composing music, creating images and writing essays resembling human work. Foundation models give generative AI systems such as ChatGPT the ability to create something new, unlike traditional AI, which processes data and completes tasks using predetermined rules. Resistance to government rules for these AI systems came from an unlikely place: France, Germany and Italy. “The race should be for the best AI regulations, not the first AI regulations."

Persons: —, Bard chatbot, “ Rather, won’t, ”, Nick Reiners, “ there’s, Reiners, Sam Altman, Thierry Breton, ” Reiners, Kent Walker, Iverna McGowan, McGowan, Altman, OpenAI, Alpha, it's, ” Dragos, “, “ We’re Organizations: European Union, Eurasia Group, European Commission, Microsoft, Mistral, Elon, Center for Democracy and Technology, EU Locations: European, U.S, China, Brussels, France, Germany, Italy, Europe, German, Romanian

Foundation models like the one built by Microsoft (MSFT.O)-backed OpenAI are AI systems trained on large sets of data, with the ability to learn from new data to perform various tasks. In a meeting of the countries' economy ministers on Oct. 30 in Rome, France persuaded Italy and Germany to support a proposal, sources told Reuters. Until then, negotiations had gone smoothly, with lawmakers making compromises across several other conflict areas such as regulating high-risk AI, sources said. France-based AI company Mistral and Germany's Aleph Alpha have criticised the tiered approach to regulating foundation models, winning support from their respective countries. Other pending issues in the talks include definition of AI, fundamental rights impact assessment, law enforcement exceptions and national security exceptions, sources told Reuters.

Persons: Carlos Barria, Thierry Breton, Geoffrey Hinton, Alpha, Mistral, Mark Brakel, Supantha Mukherjee, Josephine Mason, Alexander Smith Organizations: Technology, Intelligence, REUTERS, Rights, Reuters, Foundation, Microsoft, European Commission, Mistral, Lawmakers, Life Institute, Thomson Locations: San Francisco, California, U.S, Rights STOCKHOLM, BRUSSELS, LONDON, France, Germany, Italy, Rome, Spain, Belgium, Stockholm

☆ Not clear Big Tech need pay for 5G, broadband rollout, Belgian regulator says
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-13 | by ( Marine Strauss | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

An advertising board shows a 5G logo at the International Airport in Zaventem, Belgium May 4, 2020. REUTERS/Yves Herman/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsBrussels, Nov 13 - There is no clear need to make technological giants help to pay for 5G and broadband rollout, Belgium's telecoms regulator IBPT-BIPT said on Monday. Telecom operators, including Deutsche Telekom (DTEGn.DE), have called for what they describe as "fair share funding," which the Big Tech companies have said would amount to an internet tax. "IBPT-BIPT considers that the need to oblige internet platforms to pay network operators is not sufficiently demonstrated," Belgian industry regulator IBPT-BIPT said in a report on Monday. "IBPT-BIPT considers that the need to introduce a fee based on the volume of Internet traffic for the Belgian market has not been demonstrated," it added.

Persons: Yves Herman, BIPT, Thierry Breton, Marine Strauss, Barbara Lewis Organizations: International, REUTERS, Rights, 5G, Microsoft, European Commission, Telecom, Deutsche Telekom, Big Tech, Belgian, EU, Thomson Locations: Zaventem, Belgium, Rights Brussels, Belgian

☆ YouTube, TikTok must detail child protection measures by Nov 30, EU says
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-09 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

[1/2] A 3D printed Youtube and Tik Tok logo are seen placed on keyboard in this illustration taken, September 15, 2020. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsBRUSSELS, Nov 9 (Reuters) - Alphabet's (GOOGL.O) YouTube and TikTok have been given a Nov. 30 deadline by the European Union to reply to an information request on how they protect children from illegal and harmful content, the European Commission said on Thursday. Google and TikTok did not immediately reply to a request for comment. The information request comes days after Breton told TikTok Chief Executive Officer Shou Zi Chew to spare no effort to counter disinformation on its platform, owned by China's ByteDance. "Based on the assessment of the replies, the Commission will assess next steps", the Commission said.

Persons: Dado Ruvic, Thierry Breton, Breton, Shou Zi Chew, China's ByteDance, Sundar Pichai, Tassilo Hummel, David Evans Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, YouTube, European Union, European Commission, Big Tech, Digital Services, Google, Reuters, Wednesday, TikTok, DSA, Thomson Locations: Rights BRUSSELS, Breton

☆ Getting mocked for your green Android text bubbles to iPhone users could be a thing of the past in Europe if Google gets its way
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-09 | by ( Pete Syme | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Google signed a letter to the EU asking for iMessage to be made a "core platform service." The green text bubble currently singles out non-iPhone users. That could make the green text bubbles, which single out non-iPhone users a thing of the past. AdvertisementAdvertisementWhatsApp and Meta's Messenger have been designated as core platform services, meaning they are subject to stronger regulation. And the European Union has already been investigating whether iMessage should be deemed a core platform service, since it announced the designations in September.

Persons: —, iMessage, Thierry Breton Organizations: Google, Apple, Service, Financial Times, Union's, European Union, SMS Locations: iMessage

☆ Exclusive: EU to ask YouTube, TikTok for details on measures protecting minors
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-08 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: 1 min

BRUSSELS, Nov 8 (Reuters) - Google’s (GOOGL.O) YouTube and TikTok will be asked by EU industry chief Thierry Breton to provide information on how they comply with new EU online content rules regarding the protection of children, a person with direct knowledge of the matter told Reuters on Wednesday. Breton will send his request to the companies on Friday, the source added. The new EU rules known as the Digital Services Act (DSA) requires Big Tech to do more to fight harmful and illegal online content, especially content that targets minors. The DSA also forces the companies to be more transparent on their algorithmic processes, bots and targeted advertisements that amplify content and do more to tackle illegal, unsafe or counterfeit products sold on their platforms. Reporting by Foo Yun Chee; Editing by Lisa ShumakerOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Thierry Breton, Breton, Foo Yun Chee, Lisa Shumaker Organizations: YouTube, Reuters, EU, Digital Services, Big Tech, DSA, Thomson Locations: BRUSSELS

☆ EU fine-tunes plan to launch Galileo satellites on SpaceX
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-07 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

A Falcon 9 rocket lifts off on NASA's SpaceX Crew-7 mission, taking four crew members to the International Space Station (ISS), from the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida, U.S., August 26, 2023. REUTERS/Steve Nesius/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsNov 7 (Reuters) - The European Union has struck a tentative deal to launch four Galileo navigation satellites using Falcon 9 rockets of U.S.-based SpaceX, European officials said on Tuesday, in the latest sign of pressure caused by a gap in European launch capacity. The agreement spans two launches pencilled in for April and July next year, carrying two satellites each, EU Internal Market Commissioner Thierry Breton told reporters in Seville, Spain, following EU ministerial talks on competitivity in space. Breton told a news conference the provisional contract with SpaceX was worth 180 million euros ($191.99 million). The 22-nation European Space Agency, which includes most EU states, last year turned to Elon Musk's SpaceX to launch its Euclid space telescope to survey evidence of dark matter and dark energy in the universe.

Persons: Steve Nesius, Thierry Breton, Breton, Elon, Tim Hepher, Mark Potter, Barbara Lewis Organizations: SpaceX, International Space, Kennedy Space Center, REUTERS, European, Galileo, Internal, U.S, Global, Russian Soyuz, European Space Agency, Thomson Locations: Cape Canaveral , Florida, U.S, Seville, Spain, Italian, Russian, Ukraine, Europe

[1/2] An Ericsson sign is seen at the third China International Import Expo (CIIE) in Shanghai, China November 5, 2020. REUTERS/Aly Song Acquire Licensing RightsBRUSSELS, Nov 6 (Reuters) - Electronics makers Siemens (SIEGn.DE), Ericsson (ERICb.ST) and Schneider Electric (SCHN.PA), along with industry group DigitalEurope warned on Monday that onerous proposed EU rules targeting cybersecurity risks of smart devices could disrupt supply chains on a scale similar to during the pandemic. They said disruptions could hit millions of products, ranging from washing machines to toys, cybersecurity products, as well as vital components for heat pumps, cooling machines and high-tech manufacturing. "We risk creating a COVID-style blockage in European supply chains, disrupting the single market and harming our competitiveness," the companies said. They also want more flexibility to self-assess cybersecurity risks.

Persons: Aly, Thierry Breton, Vera Jourova, Robert Bosch, Foo Yun Chee, Rod Nickel Organizations: Ericsson, China, REUTERS, Rights, Electronics, Siemens, Schneider, European, European Union, Nokia, Robert, Robert Bosch GmbH, EU, Thomson Locations: Shanghai, China, Rights BRUSSELS, EU, Slovakian

Companies TikTok FollowBRUSSELS, Nov 6 (Reuters) - TikTok must "spare no effort" to counter the spread of disinformation on the short video sharing app, EU industry chief Thierry Breton told the company's CEO on Monday, as the European Union steps up its efforts to curb the powers of Big Tech. "My services and I are now investigating whether this is enough to ensure compliance with the DSA (Digital Services Act)," Breton told Reuters in written comments after a video call with TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew. "Because now more than ever, we must spare no effort to protect our citizens – especially children and teenagers – against illegal content and disinformation," he said. TikTok Public Policy Director Caroline Greer said in a post on social media platform X that the company was pleased that Breton recognised its compliance efforts. The DSA requires large online platforms to do more to tackle illegal and harmful online content on their platforms.

Persons: Thierry Breton, China's ByteDance, Breton, Shou Zi Chew, Caroline Greer, Chew, Vera Jourova, Didier Ryenders, Foo Yun Chee, Sharon Singleton Organizations: Big Tech, DSA, Services, Reuters, Big, EU, Values, Thomson Locations: BRUSSELS, European, Breton, Big Tech, Brussels

Chew will meet Breton on Nov. 6 and Jourova and Reynders on Nov. 7, a TikTok spokesperson said. He will update the commissioners on TikTok's data security regime called Project Clover which started to store European user data locally this year, a TikTok spokesperson said. The company has a data centre in Dublin, Ireland, and is building two more in Ireland and Norway. Breton last month gave TikTok an Oct. 25 deadline to provide information on its crisis response measures. Reporting by Foo Yun Chee; editing by Sudip Kar-Gupta and Jason NeelyOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Shou Zi Chew, Online Harms, Thierry Breton, Vera Jourova, Didier Reynders, TikTok, Chew, Breton, Foo Yun Chee, Sudip Kar, Gupta, Jason Neely Organizations: Energy, Commerce, Safeguard, Online, Capitol, Breton, Digital Services, Big Tech, Thomson Locations: Washington , U.S, BRUSSELS, EU, Brussels, Israel, Gaza, Reynders, Dublin, Ireland, Norway

The Consequences of Elon Musk’s Ownership of XNow rebranded as X, the site has experienced a surge in racist, antisemitic and other hateful speech. Research conducted in part by the Institute for Strategic Dialogue concluded that anti-Semitic tweets in English more than doubled after Mr. Musk’s takeover. Keeping X at the center of public debate is exactly Mr. Musk’s goal, which he describes at times with a messianic zeal. Even worse, the article argued, Mr. Musk’s changes appear to be boosting the engagements of the most contentious users. A month into Mr. Musk’s ownership, the platform stopped enforcing its policy against Covid-19 misinformation.

Persons: Elon Musk, ”, “, Musk’s, —, Musk, Tim Chambers, ” Mr, Chambers, Tesla, lockdowns, Thierry Breton, Mr Organizations: Elon, Twitter, “ Twitter, Hamas, Dewey, Group, Defamation, Research, Institute for Strategic, Commission, Kremlin, Pentagon, Tufts, Rutgers, Montclair, 4chan, Harvard Kennedy School, Covid, Media, Mr, Commission's Digital Services, Services, Defamation League, European Union Locations: Musk’s, Russia, China, Israel, Ukraine, Iran, guardrails

☆ EU's Breton confirms investigations into three tech platforms, including X
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-26 | by ( Martin Coulter | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

[1/2] 'X' logo is seen on the top of the headquarters of the messaging platform X, formerly known as Twitter, in downtown San Francisco, California, U.S., July 30, 2023. REUTERS/Carlos Barria/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsLONDON, Oct 26 (Reuters) - EU industry chief Thierry Breton has launched investigations into three tech platforms over content moderation decisions, including Elon Musk's X. The tech giants have faced mounting scrutiny in recent weeks, with a surge in harmful content and disinformation following Hamas' attack on Israel. Under the bloc's wide-sweeping Digital Services Act, very large tech platforms and search engines must do more to tackle illegal content and risks to public security, and to protect their services against manipulative techniques. Speaking during a radio interview with France Inter, Breton did not specify the other two platforms being investigated.

Persons: Carlos Barria, Thierry Breton, Elon Musk's, Breton, Martin Coulter, Jason Neely Organizations: REUTERS, Services, France Inter, Thomson Locations: San Francisco , California, U.S, Israel

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