Elon Musk demands to see a 'list of violations' after the EU called him out over the rapid spread of Israel-Gaza disinformation on X
- Elon Musk has demanded the EU provide a "list of violations" concerning disinformation on X.
- The international body told Musk to tackle the problem or face penalties.
Elon Musk has demanded to see a "list of violations" after the European Union told him to tackle disinformation about the Israel-Gaza conflict, which has been rapidly spreading on X.
In a letter signed by Thierry Breton, the European commissioner for internal market, the organization said it had "indications" the platform was being used to "disseminate illegal content and disinformation in the EU."
Breton said, "Penalties can be imposed" if violations against the EU's rules around content moderation were found.
In a post on X, Musk replied to Breton's letter, saying: "Our policy is that everything is open source and transparent, an approach that I know the EU supports. Please list the violations you allude to on X, so that that the public can see them."
Breton responded to Musk, saying the billionaire was "well aware" of users and authorities' reports on "fake content and glorification of violence."
X seems to be aware of the presence of at least some disinformation spreading on the platform. The company's CEO, Linda Yaccarino, pulled out of two speaking arrangements, citing the developing conflict and a need to "remain fully focused on X platform safety."
Researchers and reporters have identified several examples of misleading content on the platform being passed off as real examples of the conflict between Israel and Hamas. This included video game footage, old videos, and Algerian football celebrations.
Musk himself even pointed his X followers who were looking for updates on the conflict towards two accounts known for peddling fake news.
One misinformation expert previously told Insider that the rampant spread of fake news on the platform was a "direct result of the policy changes that were implemented by Musk."
University of Cambridge professor Sander van der Linden pointed to Musk's changes to content-moderation teams, verification systems, and the monetization of content of the platform.
Representatives for X did not immediately respond to Insider's request for comment, made outside normal working hours.