Elon Musk’s X Faces Potential Ban Risk In EU: Report

In a short while from now, the Elon Musk social media app X may cease to operate in the European Union member countries. This is due to certain concerns about the censorship permissions of the free speech platform. 

Empty Threats or Silencing Strategy?

Sandro Gozi, an Italian who was elected as an MEP in France, threatened to shut down X in Europe if Elon Musk does not comply with the rules in the region. According to a report from European Conservative, he voiced this threat during an interview with news outlet La Repubblica. However, it appears that Gozi stands alone on this matter. Italian Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini wasted no time in condemning Gozi’s words.

He described them as “another disturbing threat to free speech in Europe.” He perceives this threat as a strategy to silence the voices of million of people who think differently from “them.”

It is worth noting that a similar censorship issue led to X exit from Brazil on Saturday. The social media platform announced its decision to shut down its business in the Latin American country with immediate effect. This happened after Brazilian Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes threatened to detain one of the company’s representatives in Brazil if the platform did not abide by the orders to take down certain content.

Although X has ceased its business operations in Brazil, the services of the platform are still accessible to the residents of the country. Such occurrences threatens Musk’s goal to make X an everything app. With how controversial the billionaire is, he is not likely to back down from his vision.

Is EU Commission In Tune With Elon Musk X Ban?

Generally, it is clear that the EU is not interested in raising any dust with Musk. A few days ago, Internal Markets Commissioner Thierry Breton threatened the Tesla boss over an interview with Donald Trump who is now running for re-election.

In Breton’s opinion, Musk’s failure to moderate any content on X that “may incite violence, hate, or racism … including in the context of elections” will result in legal repercussions and the “full use of [the EU’s] toolbox.”

The Commission, through a spokesperson, did not fail to share its stance on the matter. The representative cited that the timing and the wording of the letter “were neither coordinated nor agreed with the president nor with the [other commissioners].”