According to plans disclosed by Labour Member of Parliament Dawn Butler, Elon Musk may soon be called to testify before the United Kingdom Parliament about the operations of his social media platform, X.
Butler, who is campaigning to chair the House of Commons Science and Technology Select Committee, revealed in an interview with the Financial Times that Musk is among the key figures she intends to invite to testify before the committee on the platform’s practices. Musk is “someone we’d like to invite” as a witness.
Butler is a leading contender for the chair of the committee. The initiative is also supported by her rival for the position, fellow Labour MP Chi Onwurah, who also supports an inquiry into social media companies’ use of algorithms, including how they contribute to misinformation. Butler reportedly said:
“It is vital for the committee to formally examine the use of algorithms in pushing hateful material — and the moderation of such content — on X and other social media platforms.”
According to Politico, Musk has been in a heated dispute with British politicians following the anti-immigration riots that erupted across the UK after a tragic knife attack in Southport, where three young girls were killed.
As per the report, X played a central role in spreading inaccurate information about the attack. The misinformation fueled the riots as protesters took to the streets, further complicating the efforts to restore order.
The billionaire has accused UK authorities of a “one-sided” response to the unrest, suggesting that “civil war is inevitable” in the country.
Both candidates for the committee chair have pledged to push for greater transparency from X if they are elected to lead the tech oversight panel.
“The really important points here are the way algorithms of platforms promote and amplify misinformation and the spreading of racial hatred, and how the platforms’ business models rely on that,” Onwurah told Politico.
Musk’s X business also faces legal challenges in Brazil. The platform is currently suspended in the country following a ruling by Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes. The conflict escalated after Musk refused to comply with local regulations, including naming a legal representative for X in Brazil.
Source: Elon Musk
The Brazilian judiciary has been investigating the platform for reportedly spreading misinformation linked to former President Jair Bolsonaro.
Despite Musk’s protests, labeling the court’s actions as censorship, the suspension was upheld by a panel of Supreme Court justices. As of now, X remains blocked, and users attempting to access it via VPNs face hefty fines. Additionally, X must pay over $3 million in penalties to restore operations in Brazil.
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