EU proposes record penalty against Elon Musks X - attack on freedom of expression!

EU proposes record penalty against Elon Musks X - attack on freedom of expression!

The EU Commission plans a record penalty of over one billion dollars against short message service X, which is operated by Elon Musk. This measure is directly related to alleged violations of the Digital Services Act (DSA), such as ots.at . The decision not only causes outrage for the companies concerned, but also raises basic questions about the protection of freedom of expression.

Petra Steger, FPÖ's EU member, vehemently criticized the planned punishment. It sees the measure as part of a more comprehensive control and censorship that is promoted by the EU Commission. Steger expresses serious concerns that the right to freedom of expression could suffer from the supervision of non-elected EU representatives. She emphasizes that this development could have a negative impact on the skills of companies that unpleasant opinions are not censored.

attack on fundamental rights

Steger warns that financial punishments for companies that allow critical opinions are only the first step in a comprehensive process that threatens the fundamental rights of Europeans. It also criticizes the Austrian government sharply for its lack of resistance to the planned EU measures and the implementation of the DSA. The FPÖ plans to actively act against the DSA in the coming weeks and months to defend freedom of expression and to stop this attack on civil rights.

The Digital Services Act, which applies to all platforms in the European internal market, brings new, comprehensive requirements. Particularly large online platforms (VLOPs) and very large search engines (VLOSES) must therefore identify and analyze risks at least once a year that result from their services. These risks include the distribution of illegal content and disinformation, which can also threaten the integrity of elections, such as ec.europa.eu emphasized.

regulation and risks

The new rules require the platforms to explain which measures have been taken to reduce the identified risks. In addition, cooperation with independent facts is considered an important approach to reduce systemic risks, such as the spread of disinformation. Before the introduction of new functions that could have potentially critical effects on these risks, extensive risk assessments must be carried out.

The situation around the digital services act and the associated punishments show how important the protection of freedom of expression in the digital world is. Steger and the FPÖ appeal to the political decision -makers to question this development and take measures that protect the fundamental rights of the citizens.