Civil Groups Criticize EU Commissioner on Digital Rules

Civil society groups and academics have voiced strong criticism of European Commissioner Thierry Breton's recent correspondence with Elon Musk, the owner of the social media platform X. They argue that Breton's letter misinterprets the EU's Digital Services Act (DSA) and poses a threat to free expression. The open letters, signed by various organizations and scholars, highlight concerns over Breton's comments regarding Musk's content moderation actions on X, noting that the letter was issued without prior coordination with EU leadership. The DSA is designed to enhance online safety by outlining the responsibilities of digital platforms in managing both illegal and harmful content. It mandates strict content moderation and transparency obligations for platforms with over 45 million monthly users, due to their potential systemic risks to society. Critics assert that Breton's interpretation of the DSA undermines its foundational principles, particularly regarding freedom of expression. In their letters, the signatories argue that the DSA should be applied in a manner that prioritizes free speech, cautioning against broad restrictions on content. They also contest Breton's suggestion to extend the DSA's reach beyond the EU, warning that such actions could jeopardize global free speech. This sentiment aligns with X CEO Linda Yaccarino's assertion that Breton's letter represents an overreach of a law intended for European contexts. The organizations advocate for a human rights-centered approach to DSA enforcement, emphasizing the need to balance the regulation of harmful content with the protection of free expression. They criticize the notion of using the DSA as a political tool to impose sweeping content restrictions based on risk assessments.