Brussels: The European Union announced that it will "carefully assess" the live stream scheduled for next Thursday between Elon Musk, the American billionaire and owner of the platform X, and Alice Weidel, the leader of the far-right party Alternative for Germany (AfD), on the platform X.
According to Kuwait News Agency, European Commission spokesperson Thomas Regnier stated the Commission will evaluate whether the live conversation between Elon Musk and Alice Weidel constitutes a breach of EU platform rules. Regnier clarified that while the live discussion on X does not directly violate European rules, the EU's Digital Services Act (DSA) does not "censor any type of content." He emphasized that "nothing in the Digital Services Act prohibits any platform from conducting a live stream or expressing personal views." However, Regnier added that the Commission will consider if the platform operates within the legal boundaries of the Digital Services Act, particularly concerning risk assessment.
Regnier highlighted ongoing investigations into the X platform, focusing on potential breaches related to managing risks in civil discourse and electoral processes. He noted that the EU would "carefully assess" the live stream and could include it in its current investigation if any risks are identified. He underscored that platform owners must ensure they are not misused or giving preferential treatment to certain types of content.
A meeting is scheduled for January 24 between the European Commission, German authorities, civil society organizations, and major digital platforms, including X, to discuss online risks ahead of Germany's election. Under the Digital Services Act, users have the right to opt out of seeing certain content, which means X must allow users to avoid any mention of the Alternative for Germany chat if they choose.
The EU is keen to determine whether X uses its algorithms to promote far-right messages. The European Commission initiated an official investigation in December 2023 into the X platform over alleged violations of European laws regarding content moderation. The announcement by Alice Weidel, the leading candidate for the German parliamentary elections from the far-right Alternative for Germany party, about her expected live online discussion with Elon Musk on January 9, has already sparked controversy. The German government accused Elon Musk of "attempting to influence the elections" by supporting the far-right Alternative for Germany party.