The Deputy Head of the European Commission called social network X a source of “Russian disinformation”

Deputy head of the European Commission Vera Jourova called Elon Musk’s social network X (formerly Twitter), blocked in Russia, the largest distributor of “Russian disinformation.” On the eve of the EU elections, Ms. Jourova calls on companies to increase their vigilance, reports Bloomberg.

“X (formerly Twitter), which is no longer subject to the voluntary EU code, is the platform with the largest number of disinformation posts,” said Vera Jourová. She called social networks “a weapon of mass manipulation worth several million euros,” which are aimed at both Russians and Europeans and the rest of the world. Ms. Jourová called on companies to consider the power of their influence, especially before the European elections. “We should expect that the Kremlin and others will be active before our European elections,” noted Vera Jourova. She stressed that the influx of Russian disinformation is especially large in Slovakia, where elections will be held on Saturday. It is expected that the forces that oppose military assistance to Ukraine will win.

Ms Jourová called on Company X to follow the EU Digital Services Act and threatened to “watch what you do”.

In August in the EU entered the Digital Service Act (DSA), which strengthens controls on the 19 largest Internet platforms. One of the goals of the law is to stop the spread of misinformation. Working on the DSA bill started back in 2019.

July 11, American company Amazon sent an appeal to the European General Court against an EU decision obliging the company to combat disinformation and online hate content.

Alexandra Goroshilova