After his Twitter takeover, the billionaire presented himself as a champion of freedom of expression, but also caused a lot of chaos.
(Photo: Reuters)
At first things were harmonious between EU Commissioner Thierry Breton and the head of the US carmaker Tesla, Elon Musk. When Breton visited the billionaire in Austin, Texas in May, the two talked shop about Europe’s Digital Services Act, which is intended to impose rules on Internet platforms.
Almost meekly, Musk assured the EU Commissioner that he “very much agrees” with the European approach to holding big online companies to account. Breton was pleased, if with a certain disbelief, at this.
There is not much left of the good mood today. Breton is Musk’s main opponent. After taking over Twitter, the latter presents himself as a champion of freedom of expression, but in his new role as head of Twitter, he appears primarily as a digital troublemaker. The “free speech marketplace” that Musk has promised is on track to become a place for online trolls.
Breton apparently suspected it: After Musk took power over the social network, he sent the snappy comment that in Europe “the bird would fly according to our rules”.
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The Twitter chaos has dominated the headlines for weeks, but the rivalry between Musk and Breton goes much further. The French commissioner also gets in his way in those business areas that Musk owes his rise to become a billionaire.
This is what gives the duel between tech pioneer and regulator its explosive nature, especially since it reflects the contrast between thirst for action and caution that characterizes relations between the US and the EU as a whole.
Every week, Moritz Koch, head of the Handelsblatt office in Brussels, analyzes trends and conflicts, regulatory projects and strategic concepts from the inner workings of the EU, alternating with other Brussels correspondents. Because anyone interested in business needs to know what’s going on in Brussels. You can reach him at: [email protected]
Breton’s latest project is the transition to electromobility. He wants to forge an industrial alliance with European manufacturers and secure Europe’s access to critical raw materials. The boss of the e-car pioneer Tesla sees himself challenged by this.
Even in the boundless space, Breton and Musk clash. Breton is driving Europe’s Secure Connectivity Initiative, recently renamed Iris 2. This is a satellite network – the EU’s answer to Musk’s Starlink.
Elon Musk sees himself challenged
The Internet service from space has demonstrated strategic value in the Ukraine war. The Ukrainian Armed Forces use Starlink to network their units. The Russians are unsuccessful in jamming the signals. The EU now wants to follow suit in order not to be dependent on a private US service provider.
>> Also read: A touch of 1989 – Ukraine’s liberation struggle is an inspiration for Europe
Musk has shown the innovative power that unrestrained entrepreneurial spirit can unleash. His merits are undisputed, but so are his character flaws, which is why the increasing concentration of power and billions in his hands is becoming a political issue. After Musk’s “peace plan” for Ukraine was rejected by Kyiv, reports of Starlink dropouts on the frontline abounded.
Whether intentional or not, the mere fact that a super-rich’s mood swings could affect the course of the war is a cause for concern. Especially since in the case of Musk, not only hubris could become problematic. Musk also doesn’t seem to shy away from spreading conspiracy theories via Twitter.
He either doesn’t seem to understand that an Internet flooded with disinformation, propaganda and hate poses a threat to democracy, or, worse still, he accepts it.
The Americans are also beginning to realize that the state shouldn’t stand idly by and watch this happening. “Congress must end the era of big tech’s failed self-regulation and enact legislation that prioritizes user safety over billionaire whims,” demanded the influential US Senator Ed Markey on the weekend.
There are signs of a role reversal, just as Breton had imagined: the Europeans could now be pioneers when it comes to regulatory issues – and the Americans are lagging behind.
More: Elon Musk risks EU penalties with his Twitter course