Internet
Wissing happy after discussing Twitter rules with Musk
Federal Transportation Minister Volker Wissing (left) and Twitter majority owner Elon Musk pose for a selfie in San Francisco. photo
© Volker Wissing/BMDV/dpa
Elon Musk’s takeover of Twitter has caused quite a stir. Even in German politics. Federal Transport Minister Wissing expressed concern. He now he met the internet billionaire in San Francisco.
After the concerns over the short message service Twitter, Federal Digital Minister Volker Wissing is now voicing less concern.
After a meeting with majority owner Elon Musk in San Francisco, the FDP politician wrote on his Twitter account: “My position is clear: the self-engagement of platforms against #disinformation must be strictly observed until the entry into force of the #DSA”. Elon Musk shares his opinion on this, he added. Alongside his post, Wissing posted a photo showing him with the tech billionaire.
In December, the federal minister said in an interview: “I am concerned about developments since the takeover by Elon Musk.” He hasn’t decided yet whether he will continue to use the platform in the future. The provisions of the Digital Services Act (DSA) will apply EU-wide from mid-February 2024. For particularly large platforms, the rules should apply from September 2023. Among other things, the DSA stipulates that in future the hate speech and other illegal content on the internet in the EU should be taken down faster. It is intended to ensure stricter supervision of online platforms and greater consumer protection.
Musk took over Twitter last October, replacing senior staff and making several controversial changes. “It was with great concern that he noted the Twitter platform regulations, their abrupt changes and arbitrary application,” wrote Sven Giegold (Greens), State Secretary at the Federal Ministry of the Economy, in a letter from December to the European Commission. The Brussels authority should carry out the necessary tests as soon as possible to designate Twitter as a “custodian” under the law on digital markets. Gatekeepers are companies with a particularly strong market position that meet a number of criteria. Special conditions apply to them, such as limitations on the processing of users’ personal data. The Digital Markets Act will be applicable from May.
