EU Commissioner To Musk: 'Huge Work Ahead' For Twitter To Pass New Tech Requirements

The European Union is pleased that Elon Musk's Twitter is willing to prepare the social media platform for the bloc's new Digital Services Act (DSA), but it has warned there is "huge work ahead" if the company wants to comply with all requirements.

"I welcome @elonmusk's intent to get Twitter 2.0 ready for the #DSA. Huge work ahead still – as Twitter will have to implement transparent user policies, significantly reinforce content moderation and tackle disinformation," European Commissioner for Internal Market Thierry Breton said Wednesday following a meeting with the Twitter boss.

"Looking forward to seeing progress in all these areas," Breton tweeted.

On the same day, Twitter said in a blog post it was committed to "policy enforcement" that will "rely more heavily on de-amplification of violative content: freedom of speech, but not freedom of reach."

The social media platform further noted that its Trust & Safety team "continues its diligent work to keep the platform safe from hateful conduct, abusive behavior, and any violation of Twitter's rules."

The DSA became effective on Nov. 16 but large online platforms like Twitter will have time until Feb. 17 to comply with the EU's new content moderation laws.

Under the new rules, very large online platforms (VLOPs) will have to adhere to algorithmic accountability requirements, meaning they need to ensure they practice accountability in various consumer-related matters such as protection, privacy, content moderation and more.

During Wednesday's meeting, Breton told Musk that Twitter "will have to implement transparent user policies, significantly reinforce content moderation and protect freedom of speech, tackle disinformation with resolve, and limit targeted advertising," Tech Crunch reported.

Before Musk took over Twitter, he expressed support for the EU's DSA in a meeting with Breton in May.

The DSA bans advertising targeted toward children and those based on sensitive personal data such as race, religion and political opinions. Musk did not specify if Twitter was willing to comply with all provisions of the new act.

Companies can be fined up to 6% of their annual global turnover for violations of the DSA.