“Twitter Withdraws from EU’s Voluntary Disinformation Code of Practice”

Twitter Withdraws from EU Disinformation Code of Practice

Twitter has made the decision to withdraw from the EU’s voluntary Code of Practice against disinformation, which it had signed up to in 2018. The news follows a tweet from Thierry Breton, the bloc’s internal market commissioner, in which he stated that despite the withdrawal, Twitter remains obligated to comply with the EU’s rules on content moderation, which come into effect under the Digital Services Acts (DSA) from August 25th.

The EU’s Code of Practice Against Disinformation

The EU’s Code of Practice against disinformation, which Twitter recently withdrew from, was signed by several tech giants including Facebook, Google, Meta, and TikTok. While the code is voluntary, adhering to its principles would reportedly count towards DSA compliance. Despite the voluntary nature of the agreement, Twitter’s decision to withdraw does suggest that the company may be planning to disregard the EU’s rules on content moderation.

Potential Consequences for Non-Compliance

Non-Compliance with the DSA could result in significant financial penalties for Twitter and its CEO, Elon Musk. Under the legislation, EU officials have the authority to impose penalties of up to 10% of a company’s global annual turnover, with fines of up to 20% of worldwide turnover for repeat instances of non-compliance. The European Commission has also made it clear that repeat non-compliance may lead to the EU blocking access to offending services.

Twitter’s Withdrawal: What It Means for the Company

Twitter’s decision to withdraw from the EU’s Code of Practice Against Disinformation has raised questions about the company’s commitment to content moderation. However, it is important to note that even though Twitter has withdrawn from the agreement, it remains legally obligated to comply with the EU’s rules on content moderation under the DSA. Failure to do so could prove costly for the company and its CEO.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Twitter’s withdrawal from the EU’s Code of Practice Against Disinformation has raised concerns about the company’s commitment to content moderation. However, Twitter remains legally obligated to comply with the EU’s rules on content moderation under the DSA. As such, it is in the best interest of Twitter and its CEO, Elon Musk, to ensure that the company adheres to these rules to avoid significant financial penalties and potential service-blocking measures by the EU.