The attacks by US billionaires Elon Musk and Mark Zuckerberg, who own X and Meta respectively, have raised alarms in Europe about the spread of disinformation and support for far-right narratives on their social networks, especially in the context of Donald Trump's new term as President of the United States.
Initially, Elon Musk, the owner of X and Trump's future minister, launched aggressive attacks on European leaders. Mark Zuckerberg, the owner of Meta (Facebook and Instagram), joined him in suggesting that European legislation amounts to "censorship."
On Wednesday (8), France urged the European Commission to take a "firmer stance" against interference in European debates, particularly targeting Elon Musk's social network, X. When asked during an interview on France Inter radio if X could "be banned" in Europe as it was in Brazil, where it was suspended for 40 days, French Chancellor Jean-Noël Barrot replied: "It's provided for in our laws."
"Either the European Commission applies with the utmost firmness the laws we have established to protect our public space, or it will have to agree to give EU member states back the ability to do so," said the chancellor.
France's demand comes a day after the social media giant Meta announced that it will end its fact-checking program in the United States, a shift in its content moderation policies that aligns with Trump's priorities.
With the Digital Markets Act and the Digital Services Act, the European Union has had a significant arsenal since 2024 to curb abuses of power and the spread of illegal disinformation content. However, following Trump's election, the EU has chosen to be cautious in confronting large US technology groups.
The Commission's caution contrasts with its aggressive stance in December against the Chinese network TikTok, which it investigated for allegedly allowing disinformation during elections in Romania.
"We must protect our democracies from all forms of foreign interference," said the then-president of the Commission, Úrsula von der Leyen, when announcing the investigation.
On Wednesday (8), the Commission broke its initial silence to respond timidly, denying any notion of EU censorship. "We categorically reject any accusation of censorship on our part," said Commission spokeswoman Paula Pinho.
Musk
The billionaire owner of the social network X has caused discomfort across Europe with his recent incendiary attacks on continental leaders, such as British Labour's Keir Starmer and German Social Democrat Olaf Scholz, and his explicit support for far-right parties in the region.
In an open challenge to the EU, Musk has scheduled an online conversation with the leader of the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party next Thursday, just a month before the country's parliamentary elections.
In response, France's head of diplomacy, Jean-Noël Barrot, stated that the EU must "wake up" and react more firmly to defend the bloc's countries.
Meanwhile, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez pointed out that Musk (without mentioning him by name) was "openly" attacking institutions and stirring up "hatred."
Sánchez remarked that "the richest man on the planet" leads a "reactionary international" that "openly attacks our institutions, incites hatred, and calls for support for the heirs of Nazism in Germany in the next elections."
According to a Downing Street spokesman, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer will meet with French President Emmanuel Macron in Britain on Thursday.
This meeting follows their recent criticism of tech billionaire Elon Musk for his increasingly bold interventions in European domestic politics.
Starmer will host Macron at his country residence, Chequers, in Buckinghamshire, near London, the prime minister's official spokesman told reporters in parliament.
"The meeting will focus on areas of cooperation and shared global challenges, including support for Ukraine, technology and AI, growth, and tackling illegal migration," the spokesman said.
"They will also discuss their ambitions for the UK-France summit later this year," he added.
*With AFP
