Elon Musk has no easy way out of his fight with the European Commission, which is investigating whether his social-media site X breached rules designed to limit illegal content and disinformation. The billionaire is facing determined adversaries in the relevant Commissioners Thierry Breton and Margrethe Vestager, who have a new legal tool. Musk may eventually conclude that pulling the plug makes sense.

The Commission last month issued a preliminary finding, opens new tab that X had breached the Digital Services Act (DSA), a sprawling new piece of legislation, opens new tab that aims to combat harmful online content. Among other things, Brussels took issue with the site’s blue user checkmarks, which it fears bestow a false credibility on some accounts. X said it disagreed with the Commission’s assessment. Another investigation, into the way Musk’s site moderates disinformation and illegal content, is ongoing.

Breton took the unusual step of reminding Musk publicly about the DSA on X, causing consternation in Brussels but also highlighting the Frenchman’s commitment to the case. The ultimate possible penalties include fines equivalent to 6% of revenue.

  • partial_accumen
    2•3 months ago

    Very little of it needs to be done in space. It’s a lot of waste for somewhere that doesn’t help us survive as a species in the short-term and only maybe helps us survive in the long-term. Space science can fucking eat it.

    So your argument is against spaceflight in general? Modern technology, like the computer or phone you’re using now to post, wouldn’t exist without spaceflight.

    • Snot FlickermanEnglish
      2•3 months ago

      ARPAnet literally was developed without spaceflight what the fuck are you talking about mate lmao

      IBM has been making computation devices since 1911… 8 years after the first human flight on a plane. They made punch-cards for the Nazi’s to track people for fucks sake.

      …but sure, they wouldn’t exist without spaceflight.

      • partial_accumen
        1•3 months ago

        ARPAnet literally was developed without spaceflight what the fuck are you talking about mate lmao

        Indirectly ARPAnet was partially created to respond to threats from spaceflight, specifically nuclear ICBMs. However we don’t even need to argue that one because there’s a much more direct link I’m referring to.

        IBM has been making computation devices since 1911… 8 years after the first human flight on a plane. They made punch-cards for the Nazi’s to track people for fucks sake.

        Why is it the computer that you’re posting from isn’t the size of a large room or even a full sized refrigerator? Miniaturization is the answer. Why did miniaturization of computers happen? Spaceflight.

        “NASA gave IBM $26.6million to build a computer capable of running the necessary programs, and the specifications were brutal. IBM had to create a system capable of proving the feasibility of docking in space, all packed into a box no bigger than 19in high, 15in wide, 13in deep, and weighing less than 60 pounds.”

        source

        That’s what the fuck I’m talking about mate.