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Can Elon Musk be held accountable for X-related disinformation amid UK riots? – Firstpost

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Violent rioting has been going on in the UK for more than a week, with clashes between police and protesters in many cities in England, as well as in towns in Northern Ireland.

The unrest began after a stabbing at a Taylor Swift-themed dance party in Southport on July 29 left three young girls dead. Misinformation spread quickly on social media, falsely identifying the attacker as an asylum seeker, fuelling the subsequent riots marked by anti-immigration and Islamophobic slogans.

What is Elon Musk’s involvement in the riots?

Elon Musk, the billionaire owner of social media platform X (formerly Twitter), has played a controversial role in the ongoing situation. Musk has posted a series of inflammatory comments on X, including declaring that “civil war is inevitable” in the UK.

He has also criticised the UK’s criminal justice system, saying it treats Muslims more leniently than far-right activists, and compared the UK’s social media crackdown to the Soviet Union. Comments that have been widely condemned by British officials.

UK Justice Secretary Heidi Alexander has been outspoken about Musk’s irresponsible use of his platform, stating that “Using language like ‘civil war’ is completely unacceptable.” UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, while avoiding direct involvement in Musk’s case, has described the riots as “far-right thuggery” and said those responsible will face justice.

More than 400 people have been arrested in response to the violence, with around 100 charged. Starmer stressed the urgent need to maintain public safety and restore order. The UK government has called on social media companies, including X Musk, to do more to combat the spread of misleading and inflammatory information online.

Alexander stressed the importance of strengthening the Online Safety Act, which was approved last year and is due to be fully implemented by 2025. She acknowledged some positive steps taken by social media companies but insisted that more action was needed, especially in relation to the automatic removal of false information.

Will Musk be held accountable?

According to British media, Labour MPs Chi Onwurah and Dawn Butler, candidates for chair of the parliamentary science, innovation and technology select committee, have expressed their intention to summon Musk for questioning over X’s role in the riots. Political.

Onwurah criticized X for promoting misinformation and racial hatred, stating that the platform has a “responsibility not to incite racial hatred.” Butler shared similar concerns, emphasizing the need for transparency in X’s content moderation processes.

Butler spoke about her experience reporting offensive messages on X, Politicalonly to learn they had not “met the threshold” for removal. Both lawmakers pledged to press Musk to take more responsibility if he is elected to chair the committee.

Is this the first such event in Musk’s career?

Musk’s involvement in the UK unrest is part of a wider pattern of controversial political involvement. Earlier this year, he clashed with a Brazilian Supreme Court judge over issues of free speech, far-right coverage and alleged disinformation about X.

He also accused Venezuelan socialist President Nicolás Maduro of “serious electoral fraud” following a disputed election.

Musk’s comments and actions are closely watched by his considerable following, including those who admire his business success and see him as a visionary. Stephanie Alice Baker, a sociologist at City University of London, said: AP that Musk’s impulsive comments are often perceived by his fans as a sign of his genius.

Is Musk a threat to cybersecurity?

The UK legislative and regulatory environment faces significant challenges in dealing with the influence of social media. The Online Safety Act aims to provide a framework for regulating harmful content, but its full implementation is still some way off.

Chatham House’s Alex Krasodomski noted that Musk’s combative stance toward regulators is unusual in the tech industry, highlighting his resistance to efforts to moderate content on his platform, reports AP.

Musk’s interactions with far-right figures such as Tommy Robinson and his support for Donald Trump’s re-election campaign in the US indicate a shift towards more politically charged rhetoric.

His use of the hashtag “#2tierkeir” in reference to perceived double standards in policing has further inflamed the situation. Musk’s critics say his behavior is a threat to social stability, while his supporters see him as a staunch defender of free speech.

How is Musk adding fuel to the fire?

The UK government has consistently condemned Musk’s comments, with Starmer’s spokesman saying: “There is absolutely no justification for such comments. What we have seen in this country is organised, brutal thuggery that has no place on our streets or online.”

Despite the criticism, Musk continued to post provocative comments, questioning whether the riots were taking place in Britain or the Soviet Union, and reaching out to far-right activists.

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The UK government is also grappling with allegations of “two-tier” policing, a conspiracy theory promoted by figures including Tommy Robinson and Nigel Farage, which claims that police are treating white far-right protesters more harshly than minority groups.

UK Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood and Courts Secretary Heidi Alexander have strongly rejected the allegations, saying all people, regardless of their background, will face the full force of the law if they take part in violent riots.

What impact is social media having on the UK riots?

The role of social media in exacerbating the unrest cannot be overstated. The spread of misinformation about the stabbing and the coordination of violent protests via platforms like X contributed significantly to the unrest.

Musk’s provocative comments and the platform’s algorithms that amplify sensationalist content have further inflamed the situation.

Police officers stand guard as counter-protesters push through a police cordon on a day of protests against illegal immigration in Bolton, Britain, August 4, 2024. Reuters
Police officers stand guard as counter-protesters push through a police cordon on a day of protests against illegal immigration in Bolton, Britain, August 4, 2024. Reuters

Labour MPs have been urged to avoid online debates about the riots and focus on promoting community unity and resilience. GuardianThe leader of the parliamentary caucus, Alan Campbell, urged MPs to highlight positive messages from local communities and work with religious leaders to help restore order and calm.

With information from the agency