EU Regulator Warns Against Harmful Content in Musk-Trump Interview

Thierry Breton, the European Commissioner for Internal Market, has issued a warning to Elon Musk regarding compliance with EU regulations ahead of Musk's planned live interview with former President Donald Trump on the platform X. In a letter, Breton emphasized the obligations under the Digital Services Act (DSA), which mandates that platforms like X must effectively moderate content to prevent the spread of disinformation and harmful material. He urged Musk to ensure that X adheres to these regulations, particularly given the potential for the interview to amplify controversial content in the EU. Musk's initial response to Breton was lighthearted, greeting him with a simple "Bonjour!" However, he later expressed a desire to respond with a meme that criticized censorship. The tension between Musk and EU regulators has been evident, especially following Musk's announcement of plans to sue the Commission over alleged DSA violations. Breton's letter highlighted the importance of X's compliance, stating that the DSA applies universally to all users and content on the platform. The interview itself faced significant technical difficulties, with Trump attributing his distorted voice to modern technology issues. Despite these challenges, Trump claimed the conversation attracted a record audience, countering criticisms from the Harris campaign that suggested he was slurring his words. Musk has since offered to interview Vice President Kamala Harris, further intensifying the political discourse surrounding the event. As the EU continues to scrutinize X's content moderation practices, Breton's warning underscores the regulatory challenges tech platforms face in balancing free speech with the responsibility to prevent harmful content dissemination.