MPs want Musk to explain X’s role in protests

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British MPs plan to call Elon Musk to testify before a parliamentary inquiry examining social media’s alleged influence on anti-migration protests that followed the tragic Southport stabbing incident.

The Guardian reports that parliamentarians seek to question Musk about his platform’s supposed role in spreading “disinformation” after the July attack at a Taylor Swift children’s dance party, which claimed three young lives and left others wounded.

🚨UPDATE: Elon Musk has responded to Parliament.

@elonmusk is luckily not a citizen of the authoritarian, dystopian UK, meaning the government's tyrannical censorship laws have no impact on a free man. https://t.co/zFaSZhUJim pic.twitter.com/NBXapf8X0W

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— The Mercian (@TheMercianNews) November 20, 2024

The incident triggered demonstrations, with some turning violent, against Britain’s immigration policies. As authorities initially withheld information about the suspect, social media speculation flourished, prompting officials and traditional media to attribute the unrest to online misinformation.

While initial social media speculations about the suspect Axel Rudakubana’s background proved incorrect – he was Welsh-born to Rwandan parents – the government faced scrutiny after terrorism charges were filed against him, including allegations of possessing Al-Qaeda materials and producing ricin. Dominic Cummings, former Boris Johnson advisor, claims Downing Street would have known about these terror connections immediately.

Nigel Farage, Reform UK’s leader, suggests that limited police communication created an information void that led to speculation, advocating for greater transparency from authorities.

British officials appear focused on social media’s role in the unrest rather than the attack itself. The inquiry will also seek testimony from Meta and TikTok executives.

Chi Onwurah, Labour MP and committee chair, stated the investigation would “get to the bottom of the links between social media algorithms, generative AI, and the spread of harmful or false content.”

Regarding Musk’s summons, Onwurah said the owner “has very strong views on multiple aspects of this… I would certainly like the opportunity to cross-examine him to see … how he reconciles his promotion of freedom of expression with his promotion of pure disinformation.”

Musk’s attendance remains uncertain, given his previous remarks about UK travel. “I don’t think anyone should go to the UK when they’re releasing convicted paedophiles in order to imprison people for social media posts,” he stated in September after being excluded from a Labour government investment summit.

'It is reasonable for the MPs to ask him to justify himself!'

Nigel Nelson reacts after Parliament summons Elon Musk to answer questions over his and X's role in the summer riots. pic.twitter.com/BykmIN8anK

— GB News (@GBNEWS) November 21, 2024

While British authorities cannot force Musk’s appearance, recent legislation allows substantial fines for social media companies violating harm standards. However, severe action seems unlikely given Labour’s desire to improve relations with Trump, Musk’s ally.

Peter Mandelson, influential Labour strategist, advised the government to reconcile with Musk, describing him as “a sort of technological, industrial, commercial phenomenon,” adding, “You cannot pursue these feuds.”