Labour MP Dawn Butler wants Elon Musk to discuss X operations and its potential to spread misinformation.
Elon Musk may soon be summoned to testify before the United Kingdom Parliament regarding the operations of his social media platform, X, per the plans disclosed by Labour Member of Parliament Dawn Butler.
Butler, currently running for the House of Commons Science and Technology Select Committee chair, disclosed in an interview with the Financial Times that Elon Musk is one of the prominent individuals she plans to invite to testify before the committee regarding the platform’s operations. Musk is “someone we would like to invite” as a witness.
UK Parliament May Summon Elon Musk To Examine X Operations
Butler is a prominent candidate for the position of committee chief. Chi Onwurah, a fellow Labour MP and her opponent for the position, also endorses the initiative. She advocates for investigating the use of algorithms by social media companies, including their potential to perpetuate misinformation. Butler, according to reports, stated:
“It is vital for the committee to formally examine the use of algorithms in pushing hateful material — and the moderation of such content — on X and other social media platforms.”
Elon Musk has been involved in a contentious dispute with British legislators in the wake of the anti-immigration riots that occurred in the United Kingdom following a tragic knife attack in Southport that resulted in the deaths of three young girls, according to Politico.
As per the report, X was instrumental in disseminating inaccurate information regarding the attack. Efforts to restore order were further complicated by the riots, fueled by the misinformation as demonstrators took to the streets.
The billionaire has accused the UK authorities of a “one-sided” response to the disturbance, implying that an “inevitable civil war” is imminent in the country.
If they are elected to oversee the technology oversight panel, both candidates for the committee chair have committed to advocating for increased transparency from X.
Onwurah stated to Politico, “The truly critical aspects of this are how the algorithms of platforms exacerbate and disseminate misinformation and the propagation of racial hatred, as well as the extent to which the platforms’ business models are dependent on this.”
In Brazil, Elon Musk’s X venture has also faced legal obstacles. The platform is suspended in the country due to a Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes ruling. The conflict intensified when Musk declined to comply with local regulations, which included the designation of a legal representative for X in Brazil.
The Brazilian judiciary has been investigating the platform for allegedly disseminating misinformation associated with former President Jair Bolsonaro.
Despite Elon Musk’s protests, the suspension was affirmed by a panel of Supreme Court justices, in which he referred to the court’s actions as censorship. Currently, X is blocked, and users who attempt to access it through VPNs are subject to substantial penalties. Furthermore, to resume operations in Brazil, X is required to pay penalties exceeding $3 million.
