Twitter can’t hide from EU rules after code release, says EU Breton

BRUSSELS, May 26 (Reuters) – Twitter cannot shirk its obligations even after backing down from a voluntary EU code of conduct to tackle misinformation, EU industry chief Thierry Breton warned on Friday evening. .

Companies that have signed the code are required to provide regular progress reports containing data on the advertising revenue they have avoided thanks to disinformation actors.

They should also provide information on the number or value of political ads accepted or rejected and instances of manipulative behavior detected.

“Twitter is leaving the voluntary EU code of conduct against disinformation. But the obligations remain. You can run but you can’t hide,” Breton said in a tweet.

“Beyond the voluntary pledges, countering disinformation will be a legal obligation under the DSA from August 25. Our teams will be ready for enforcement.”

Since Twitter was bought by billionaire Elon Musk for $44 billion last October, the company has cut thousands of jobs and made many changes.

Digital Services Act (DSA) forces Twitter, Google, Meta Platforms Inc (META.O), Microsoft Corp (MSFT.O), Alibaba’s AliExpress (9988.HK) and five other major online platforms to do more to combat illegal content online.

Companies risk fines of up to 6% of their worldwide turnover in the event of a violation.

Twitter, which no longer has a PR department, responded to an email request for comment with a poo emoji.

Reporting by Foo Yun Chee in Brussels Editing by Matthew Lewis

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