The European Union has threatened to ban Twitter unless the new Chief Executive Officer, Elon Musk abides by its strict content moderation rules.
EU industry chief Thierry Breton made the threat during a video meeting with Musk on Wednesday, citing people with knowledge of the conversation.
The warning, which has been reported by The Financial Times, could be the start of a regulatory battle over the future of the social media platform across Europe.
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Breton told the world’s richest man he must adhere to a checklist of rules which are set out in the EU’s new Digital Services Act.
According to Sky News, the reports include a requirement to ditch an “arbitrary” approach to reinstating banned users and to agree to an “extensive independent audit” of the platform by next year.
Musk completed his $44bn (£38bn) Twitter takeover in October and has since made some controversial decisions regarding the running of the site.
The Tesla billionaire made headlines after sacking roughly half of the company’s 8,000 workers, including 15% of the trust and safety department.
He also reinstated previously banned accounts on the platform, including the one belonging to former US President Donald Trump after conducting a Twitter poll asking users if they wanted to see him return.