EU will ban Twitter if the network does not fight disinformation

Twitter plays an important role in public debate, but disinformation on the platform threatens democracy, according to Jean-Noël Barrot, Minister of Digital Transition and Telecommunications of France

Photo: ABC News

Twitter may be banned in the European Union if it does not comply with new rules to combat disinformation. This was stated by Jean-Noël Barrot, Minister of Digital Transition and Telecommunications of France, on franceinfo.

“Twitter will be banned in the European Union if it does not comply with our rules,” the official said.

The day before, EU Commissioner for the Internal Market Thierry Breton said that Twitter was leaving the voluntary agreement of the European Union to combat disinformation on the Internet.

As reported, on August 25, the EU law on digital services comes into force, which provides, among other things, the obligation to remove illegal content and a ban on advertising targeted at minors. Platforms that do not comply with these rules will be fined up to 6% of their turnover.

“I want Twitter to comply with these European rules by August 25, otherwise it will no longer be welcome in Europe. The platform will be banned in the European Union in case of repeated violations,” Barrot said.

According to him, Twitter plays an important role in public debate, but disinformation on the platform threatens democracy.

As a reminder, in April, analysts recorded an active growth in the number of followers of Russian, Chinese, and Iranian state media on Twitter after the platform’s policy was changed.

Earlier, Twitter stopped taking measures to restrict Russian and Chinese state media, as well as Russian state institutions. The Stay Informed mark no longer appears next to posts by media outlets controlled by Russia and China. Although Twitter’s policy on state-run media in these countries has not officially changed.

At the same time, according to Twitter observers, publications related to the Russian war in Ukraine are labeled as disinformation, which reduces their reach and engagement.

Thus, the social network may pose a danger to the EU in the context of the uncontrolled spread of Russian disinformation and narratives promoting an aggressive illegal war.