Musk is a threat to European democracy

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European democracies are facing a new threat of online influence and disinformation — emanating from the US rather than from rulers like Russia. Elon Musk, the owner of X and an ally of Donald Trump, is using the network to disparage leaders he doesn’t like. Promoting the far-right Attitudes and politicians. Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg is moving toward a Musk-like approach that prioritizes “free speech.” Independent fact-checking On Facebook and Instagram platforms. European leaders may now fear retribution from the White House itself if they clash with these American billionaires in their efforts to preserve democracy.

Musk’s vast wealth and social media reach have boosted his power with his closeness to the US president-elect. The boss of X seems to be aiming for political agitation abroad. it has:: Supported The far-right AfD party will be ahead of Germany’s election on Thursday. It hosts a live broadcast. With chancellor candidate Alice Weidel. UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has accused them of being “complicit in mass rape” – referring to the decade-long scandal. Children bully groups – Cruelly Appointed a woman ministerand called for the release of a jailed far-right activist. The US has asked its 211mn X followers whether the UK should liberate the UK from a “tyranny”.

Metas Zuckerberg So far, he has not used his platforms to promote his own or extremist views. But replacing independent vetting with Model X “community notices” — to point out misinformation to users — even in the U.S. raises questions about whether content is being handled fairly elsewhere. Willingness to do it is also shown In favor of the trumpet After past conflicts. Also aligning with Musk’s – and Trump’s – ideal of “free thought”, the Meta boss said he would work with the incoming president to challenge “institutional censorship” of online platforms in Europe. That sets up a clash between US social networks and EU and UK requirements for a laissez-faire approach to regulating content.

In particular, when responding to Musk, democratic leaders in Europe and elsewhere should avoid panicked anger. Starmer hit the right note this week ProclaimX is “transmitted” by people who spread lies and misinformation online without naming the owner. But Musk succeeded in preparing the UK Political agenda Shocking and violent, yet artificially bringing the scandal of history back into focus.

The uncertainty of how long the Moose-Trump friendship will last may warrant some patience. A split is emerging in the Trump supporter coalition. A fallout would reduce Musk’s prestige to some degree — and reduce the risks to politicians elsewhere trying to contain him.

However, European leaders should make clear that Musk and Zuckerberg’s networks have rules to play by. The EU’s Digital Services Act and the UK’s Online Safety Act both threaten. Heavy penalties For large online platforms that fail to block illegal content, including fake information. The EU investigation came out last summer. Preliminary findings That mask X DSA violated Including deceptive techniques, including user behavior, advertising transparency, and researchers’ access to data.

EU and UK laws are not perfect. As Zuckerberg argued this week, both states should be wary of technology regulation. Stifling creativity. But in Europe, allegations of left-wing bias in content moderation serve as a smokescreen for the political and personal agendas of Trump, Musk and Zuckerberg. Europe’s democratic values ​​are so fundamental that its leaders should not shy away from implementing laws designed to protect them – even if this risks clashing with X or meta bosses or a returning US president.