On Tuesday, the UK threatened to ban Twitter just hours after the EU threatened to ban Twitter entirely if Musk allows free speech on his newly acquired social media platform. The Biden administration has meanwhile threatened to use Section 230 which holds social media companies “accountable” for the “harms they cause”.
CNBC reported that Britain’s proposed Online Safety Bill would even target content that is “legal but harmful,” a problematic definition that has attracted criticism from many in the tech industry. The legislation has not yet been approved but is expected to become law later this year.
“Twitter and all social media platforms must protect their users from harm on their sites,” a UK government spokesperson told CNBC. “We are introducing new online safety laws to safeguard children, prevent abusive behaviour and protect free speech. All tech firms with users in the UK will need to comply with the new laws or face hefty fines and having their sites blocked,” the spokesperson added.
Twitter could face penalties of up to 10 percent of its annual income.
Musk mocked the virulent censorship envisaged by the UK and EU in a tweet.
“By ‘free speech’, I simply mean that which matches the law. I am against censorship that goes far beyond the law. If people want less free speech, they will ask government to pass laws to that effect. Therefore, going beyond the law is contrary to the will of the people,” Musk noted in a follow-up tweet.
https://freewestmedia.com/2022/04/27/uk-eu-and-biden-administration-threaten-to-ban-twitter/