John Chalmers

BRUSSELS (Reuters), -The European Union’s inner market chief stated Tuesday that Elon Tesla could make Twitter as he pleases after he buys it. However, he cautioned the billionaire about the strict EU rules that online platforms must follow to combat illegal content.

“It will depend on Twitter to adapt themselves… our rules,” Thierry Bréton stated to Reuters, one media outlet and Reuters about Monday’s deal by Tesla (NASDAQ) chief executive to purchase Twitter for $44Billion.

Elon Musk is a very good European citizen. Elon Musk knows that there are rules that govern the automobile industry… and that he is well aware of that. Any company in Europe will be required to comply with this obligation in order to preserve freedom of speech as well as protect individual rights.

Musk, who is considered the most powerful person in the world, has called himself an absolutist for free speech and criticised Twitter’s moderating of this hugely influential platform, which is used by millions and leaders from around the globe.

Breton explained that content which is prohibited offline in the EU can be banned online by EU regulations.

The Digital Services Act (DSA), which was approved by 27 EU member states’ lawmakers and parliaments last week, means that Alphabet (NASDAQ;) and Meta (larger online platforms) will face severe fines if the do not manage illegal content.

Breton stated that platforms with more than 45 millions users will need more moderators to be successful, as well as moderators for every European language. They would also have to make their algorithms available to regulators.

For violating DSA rules, tech companies can face penalties up to 6 percent of global revenues. Repeated violations could result in their ban from operating within the EU.

New rules prohibit advertising targeting children or that is based on race, religion, gender, and political views.

Musk’s purchase of Twitter by critics fears that it will lead to less moderation, and possibly the return of some banned people like former President Donald Trump.

Breton claimed he didn’t intend to intervene in Trump’s question, as such matters are now regulated in Europe. Company boards wouldn’t be allowed to have a say.

He stated, “Remember the information area does not belong any private company.” The information space falls under the responsibility of politicians. As with airspace and territorial space, it is our responsibility organize our digital spaces.