EU Breton says Twitter ‘can’t hide’ after platform drops misinformation code – POLITICO

Twitter has abandoned the EU’s code of conduct on disinformation, Thierry Breton said on Friday evening, but the EU’s internal markets commissioner insisted that “obligations remain” for the social media giant.

“You can run but you can’t hide,” Breton said in a Tweeterafter confirming that the Elon Musk-owned platform had left the bloc’s disinformation code, which other major social media platforms have pledged to support.

“Beyond voluntary commitments, combating misinformation will be a legal obligation under the DSA from August 25,” Breton said, referring to the Digital Services Act – new social media rules which provide for fines of up to 6% of a company’s annual turnover.

“Our teams will be ready for execution,” the commissioner said.

The Disinformation Code of Practice is a voluntary regulation that requires platforms to track political advertising, stop the monetization of misinformation, and provide greater access to strangers. Participation in the code is designed to help offset some of these companies’ obligations under the separate and mandatory DSA.

Twitter is one of eight social media platforms that fall within the scope of the DSA. The others are Facebook, TikTok, YouTube, Instagram, LinkedIn, Pinterest and Snapchat.

Breton has publicly sworn that he would personally hold Musk responsible for adhering to EU content rules.