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On Friday, the European Union threatened to impose sanctions after Twitter removed several journalists who reported on tech billionaire Elon Musk and the social media company.
“The news of the arbitrary suspension of journalists on Twitter is disturbing,” tweeted Vera Jourova, the European Commission’s Vice President for Values and Transparency.
Late Thursday, Twitter abruptly suspended several high-profile journalists covering him, including CNN correspondent Donny O’Sullivan and New York Times reporter Ryan Mack.
He suggested that these journalists violated Twitter’s policy on “doxxing,” or publishing personally identifiable information.
This comes after the account @ElonJet, which used public flight data to track the location of Musk’s private jet, was suspended by Twitter.
Musk is now facing possible sanctions from the EU.
“The EU’s Digital Services Act requires media freedom and respect for fundamental rights,” said Jourova. “This is being enhanced under our #MediaFreedomAct. @elonmusk should be aware of that.”
“There is a red line. Sanctions will come soon,” she added.
Jourova did not add details about the sanctions. Under the EU’s Digital Services Act, companies can be fined up to 6% of annual global revenues for non-compliance.
The DSA, which took effect on November 16, requires large platforms to reduce online harm, implement user rights protections, and issue transparency reports.
Big tech platforms must report the number of active end users to the Commission by February 2023. The rule must be adhered to until four months after the block completes the number review.
Musk has been CEO since October after buying Twitter for $44 billion.
of Tesla The SpaceX boss, a self-proclaimed “free speech absolutist,” has harassed politicians and civil liberties activists, restoring accounts of banned users, including former President Donald Trump, and killing thousands of people. Fired a Twitter employee.
