A blue verification check on the page of Twitter on a smartphone arranged in the Brooklyn borough of New York, US, on Monday, 7 November 2022. (Photo: Gabby Jones/Bloomberg) The Brussels office was a key hub for Twitter to engage with a deluge of European regulation, much of which has only recently come into force. The social media platform has long battled a perception it has failed to manage hate-speech and disinformation.
A spokesperson for Twitter could not be reached for comment. The Brussels departures were first reported by the Financial Times.
How Musk’s Battle With European Regulation Could Play Out: Q&A
European regulators and officials have been quick to demand Twitter keeps up with its regulatory demands. Hours after billionaire Musk closed his $44 billion deal for the company, European Commissioner Thierry Breton sent a warning to the new owner, calling on the company to “fly by our rules.”
The EU’s Digital Services Act gives governments more power to enforce rules governing how tech companies moderate content and to decide when they must take down illegal content. If Musk doesn’t comply, Twitter will face fines of as much as 6% of annual sales and could even be banned.
In the US, a group of Democratic senators has also asked the US Federal Trade Commission to look into whether Twitter breached consumer protection laws or its consent decree under Musk’s ownership.