Free speech advocates cheer as Europe’s censorship czar ousted
Free speech advocates are cheering the resignation of Thierry Breton, a senior European Commission official who pressured social media companies to censor users.
As European commissioner for internal market, Breton lassoed tech platforms into complying with the Digital Services Act (DSA). The DSA, which became law last year, requires social media companies to suppress and demonetize “disinformation.”
Breton threatens Elon Musk
Breton became known for feuding with Elon Musk ever since the billionaire announced his intention to acquire Twitter. He was irked by Musk, who openly champions free speech, and began threatening the Tesla CEO even before the acquisition.
“We welcome everyone,” Breton told the Financial Times in a 2022 interview. “We are open but on our conditions. At least we know what to tell him: ‘Elon, there are rules. You are welcome but these are our rules. It’s not your rules which will apply here.’”
“Anyone who wants to benefit from this market will have to [abide by] our rules,” Breton added. “The board [of Twitter] will have to make sure that if it operates in Europe it will have to [fulfill] the obligations, including moderation, open algorithms, freedom of speech, transparency in rules, obligations to comply with our own rules for hate speech, revenge porn [and] harassment. If [Twitter] does not comply with our law, there are sanctions — 6 percent of the revenue and, if they continue, banned from operating in Europe,” he added.
In October 2022, the day after Musk purchased the social media company, Breton warned Musk again: “In Europe, the bird will fly by our rules.”
In May last year, Musk infuriated Breton by withdrawing Twitter from the Code of Practice on Disinformation, a voluntary pledge by social media companies to crack down on “disinformation” even before the DSA became law.
“You can run but you can’t hide,” Breton threatened Musk then. “Beyond voluntary commitments, fighting disinformation will be legal obligation under #DSA as of August 25. Our teams will be ready for enforcement.”
Disowned by the EU
In August, Breton posted a letter to Musk in which he warned the billionaire to fulfill his obligation under the DSA to censor “harmful content.” As an example of such content, Breton cited Musk’s plan to host a public conversation with President Donald Trump on X.
“We are monitoring the potential risks in the EU associated with the dissemination of content that may incite violence, hate and racism in conjunciton with major political — or societal — events around the world, including debates and interviews in the context of elections,” he wrote.
Breton then added another threat: “My services and I will be extremely vigilant to any evidence that points to breaches of the DSA and will not hesitate to make full use of our toolbox, including by adopting interim measures, should it be warranted to protect EU citizens from serious harm.”
Musk responded with a meme that displayed the words: “Take a step back and literally f*ck your own face.”
The European Commission quickly distanced itself from Breton, saying EC President Ursula von der Leyen had not approved the commissioner’s letter to Musk. An EU official suggested Breton had gone rogue.
A few days later, House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan (R-OH) sent a cease and desist letter to Breton.
“In light of your recent threats of reprisal toward X Corp., an American company, for facilitating political discourse in the United States, we write to demand that you stop any attempt to intimidate individuals or entities engaged in political speech in the United States and that you take no action to otherwise interfere in the American democratic process,” Jordan wrote.
President Ursula von der Leyen, who was re-elected in July, is forming a new European Commission. EU countries are asked to present their picks for commissioners to represent them in the new EC government. French President Emmanuel Macron nominated Breton as France’s representative, but von der Leyen asked Macron to withdraw the nomination.
“On 25 July, President Emmanuel Macron designated me as France’s official candidate for a second mandate in the College of Commissioners — as he had already publicly announced on the margins of the European Council on 28 June. A few days ago, in the very final stretch of negotiations on the composition of the future College, you asked France to withdraw my name — for personal reasons that in no instance you have discussed directly with me — and offered, as a political trade-off, an allegedly more influential portfolio for France in the future College,” Breton wrote in a wounded letter of resignation to President Ursula von der Leyen, Monday.
Von der Leyen may have had other reasons to dislike Breton. In March, the commissioner took a public swipe at her when she was struggling to gain support from her own EPP party.
“The EPP itself does not seem to believe in its own candidate,” Breton wrote on social media, drawing fury from the European Commission and Macron.
Free speech advocates celebrate
The House Judiciary Committee appeared to take credit for Breton’s ouster.
“This comes after @Jim_Jordan launched an investigation into Breton attacking @elonmusk. Big win for freedom!” the committee wrote on X.
X CEO Linda Yaccarino also celebrated the news. “It’s a good day for free speech,” she wrote.
“Yes it is,” replied renowned physician Jay Bhattacharya. “We need many more such days.”
“Thierry Breton, the Euro bureaucrat who waged war against Elon Musk, has lost. He has resigned in disgrace,” wrote journalist Ian Miles Cheong.
“It’s a good day for free speech and for Europe. Less regulation more acceleration,” said another user.
Another wrote: “In France also everyone disrespects Breton. He bankrupted so many companies…”
Reporter Michael Shellenberger also applauded the news.
