EU warns Twitter over spreading disinformation

The European Union (EU) has warned Elon Musk-run Twitter over spreading disinformation and encouraging the Kremlin agenda.

Vera Jourova, Vice-President for Values and Transparency at EU, said in a tweet that this is yet another "negative sign from Twitter on not making digital information space any safer and free from the Kremlin disinformation and malicious influence".

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Twitter has been confirmed as one of 19 major tech platforms subject to a centralised oversight by the EU under the new Digital Services Act (DSA).

Jourova cited an AP report on research by London-based non-profit Reset, which found that recent policy changes at Twitter have significantly amplified state-backed disinformation on the platform by authoritarian governments in Russia, China and Iran.

Twitter has been confirmed as one of 19 major tech platforms subject to a centralised oversight by the EU.

"To me this is a signal that #Twitter is falling short of its commitments to the anti-disinformation Code," she said.

"This is a paramount test to show they are serious about respecting the Code and ultimately compliance with the #DigitalServicesAct," Jourova added.

The DSA requires major social media platforms to take steps to mitigate systemic risks like disinformation and failing to do so can invite penalties of up to 6 per cent of their global annual turnover.

The EU DSA wants the social media platforms to maintain independent auditing and share data with relevant authorities, along with adopting a code of conduct by August this year.

Indo-Asian News Service