As riots raged across the UK, Elon Musk began making inflammatory comments about the situation, including stating: “Civil war is inevitable”. Musk is the owner of X, the social media platform formerly known as X.
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LONDON — The British government has engaged Elon Musk’s social media site X over the spread of misinformation and other harmful content, technology minister Peter Kyle told CNBC on Friday. “Constructive” talks.
Kyle told CNBC’s Arabile Gumede that this summer the government has been reaching out to all major social media platforms, including Musk’s X, about misinformation and the role it plays in spreading harmful material. Role.
The minister said that while he had no direct contact with Musk personally, he was “in regular contact with local CEOs in the UK”.
“It’s been a constructive series of conversations so far,” he said, adding that while there were “differences in views” between the two parties, they would discuss it.
Kyle said citizens and governments around the world today have higher expectations for social media platforms and the role they play in keeping people safe and mitigating the potential harm of their products.
“It is a privilege to be part of the British economy and society. I hope that any company that comes to work here and aspires to sell products and services to our country will respect that,” he added.
Kyle’s comments to CNBC came after a knife attack at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class in northwest England sparked far-right anti-immigration riots that saw shops and mosques attacked in towns across the country. Error messages spread online.
At the time, multiple social media users spread false information about the suspect, who was later charged with murder and attempted murder and claimed to be an asylum seeker.
During the riots, Musk, who owns More serious conspiracy theories from far-right protesters and rioters.
He also suggested that the riots could eventually lead to civil war, saying in a post: “Civil war is inevitable.” Musk’s remarks were condemned by the British government.
Last week, the Financial Times reported that UK MP Dawn Butler, the frontrunner to be the next chair of parliament’s science, innovation and technology committee, wanted to summon Musk for questioning by MPs if elected. .
The report said Butler’s rival for the position, fellow Labor MP Chi Onwurah, also supported an investigation into how algorithms spread misinformation on social media services.
Labour’s Keir, whose official title is Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, said summoning Musk to the UK was seen as a last resort, but added that “innovators” like the Tesla and SpaceX chief executive “Must be “respected”. relationship with our country. “
The minister also told CNBC that he is evaluating whether additional powers are needed to regulate social media companies spreading harmful content online.
“I’m continually evaluating whether I need additional authority to do this,” he said. “Now, I want to evaluate those companies and have conversations with those companies.”
By early 2025, UK regulator Ofcom will have the power to fine companies up to 10% of global annual revenue and even jail senior executives for breaching the Online Security Act (OSA). rules.
British politicians and campaign groups have called for OSA to be implemented more quickly to help deal with incidents such as the summer riots.
Sources familiar with the matter told CNBC last month that the government was considering a review of the legislation, but a timetable for when it would be implemented remains unclear.
Ofcom said a consultation on a code of conduct for tech companies must be completed before implementation can begin. A government spokesperson told CNBC earlier this year that “the current focus is on implementing the Cybersecurity Law quickly and effectively.”
However, the spokesperson added, “Our message to social media companies remains clear: there is no need to wait – you can and should take action now to protect your users.”
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