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European democracies are facing the new influence of the internet and the threat of viruses – not from autocracies like Russia, but from the US. Elon Musk, owner of X and Donald Trump ally, uses his network to slander leaders he doesn't like and promote far-right ideas and politics. Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg is currently shifting to Musk's approach which prioritizes “free speech” more. independent observation on his Facebook and Instagram platforms. European leaders fear that if they clash with these American billionaires in trying to protect their democracy, they may now face retaliation from the White House itself.
The power afforded by Musk's vast wealth and social media reach has been enhanced by his closeness to the US president-elect. The X boss seems intent on stirring up political turmoil abroad. He has is supported The AfD party is ahead of the German election and will say it on Thursday catch the livestream and its chancellor candidate Alice Weidel. He falsely accused UK prime minister Sir Keir Starmer of “engaging in mass rape” – referring to a decade-old allegation child rape gangs – bitterly he anointed the female priestand called for the release of the imprisoned right-wing activist. He asked his 211mn X followers if the US should free the UK from a “tyrannical government”.
Metas Zuckerberg not, so far, using his platforms to promote his views or exaggerations. But replacing independent censorship with X's “public scoring” model — relying on users to flag false information — even in the US raises questions about whether the content will be fair enough elsewhere. This seems to be a desirable initiative deal with Trump after past conflicts. As well as aligning clearly with Musk's – and Trump's – idea of ”free expression”, the manager of Meta said that he will work with the incoming president to oppose the “institutionalized control” of online platforms in Europe. That sets up a clash between the laissez-faire approach by US content networks and the EU and UK's content control requirements.
In responding to Musk, in particular, democratic leaders in Europe and elsewhere must avoid the extreme deviance that plays into his hands. Starmer hit the right spot this week on To declarewithout calling the owner X, that “the line is crossed” by those who spread lies and misinformation on the internet. Musk succeeded, however, in setting up the UK political agenda by provoking a historical giant, even if it is shocking and brutal, back into the spotlight.
Some tolerance may be warranted by uncertainty about how long the Musk-Trump relationship will last; The divide is evident in the pro-Trump coalition. A fallout would undermine Musk's power — and the political risks elsewhere they're trying to hold him back.
European leaders should clarify, however, that there are rules that Musk's, and Zuckerberg's, networks need to play by. The EU's Digital Services Act and the UK's Internet Security Act are both threatening heavy penalties on major internet platforms that fail to prevent illegal content, including privacy practices. The EU probe was released last summer first results that Musk's X they violated the DSA areas including alleged fraudulent practices to manipulate user behavior, advertising transparency, and data access to researchers.
EU and UK laws are not perfect. Both powers should consider that technology regulation does not require, as Zuckerberg charged this week, press the translation. But accusations of bias in European content moderation serve as a smokescreen for the political and personal agendas of Trump, Musk and Zuckerberg. European democratic values are so important that its leaders should not be ashamed to enforce the laws designed to protect them – even if that puts them at risk of clashing with X or the Meta bosses, or the returning US president.