The UK and EU have found an unlikely unifier: their shared concern about misinformation threats posed by American tech giants. As Elon Musk continues his war of words against Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer—and throws support behind Germany’s far-right AfD—officials in both London and Brussels say they must “stick together” to tackle the problem.
Musk, Starmer, and Far-Right Politics
Musk’s platform, X (formerly Twitter), has seen a loosening of moderation in recent months. Critics say it’s “open season” for misinformation. The tech billionaire’s repeated attacks on Starmer—plus his commentary on Germany’s Alternative für Deutschland—have EU officials worried they might be next in his crosshairs.
The “Liberate Britain” Stance
Musk has even called on the United States to “liberate” Britain, seemingly unimpressed by the current UK government. The American magnate’s closeness to Donald Trump, who’s set to return to the White House, only amplifies Europe’s nervousness.
UK-EU Unity (For Once)
The silver lining? Starmer’s so-called “Brexit reset” with the EU may be hastened by a mutual desire to fend off disinformation. Both sides are looking to tighten rules around platforms like X and Facebook—especially now that Mark Zuckerberg has scrapped fact-checkers and signalled a push to roll back regulation.
Could Tariffs Undermine All This?
But there’s a snag: The incoming Trump administration has hinted it might slap tariffs on countries that demand stricter rules for tech companies. That leaves the UK and EU in a dicey spot—do they stand firm against misinformation, or cave to Trump to safeguard trade?
The Disinformation Wild West
Security officials fear that lax oversight on social media will allow state adversaries such as Russia, China, and Iran to sow chaos. Worryingly, officials blame online fake news for stoking riots last summer in the UK following a tragic knife attack in Southport. With elections looming across Europe, many fear a perfect storm of foreign meddling.
The Legal Arsenal
Tools like the EU’s Digital Services Act (DSA) can impose hefty fines or even block websites that enable disinformation or illegal content. Meanwhile, the UK’s Online Safety Act is set to force major platforms to remove harmful material. But are the UK and EU ready to wield these weapons if it means crossing the US?
Facebook, Mark Zuckerberg, and an Anti-EU Agenda?
Mark Zuckerberg recently scrapped fact-checkers on Facebook and took a swipe at EU regulations, calling them “institutionalised censorship.” EU officials worry this is just the start of a bigger push by US tech magnates—egged on by Trump—to undermine European rules in the name of “innovation.”
A Race to the Bottom?
With Trump keen for the US to “win” the tech race, and some in Europe pushing for strict oversight, there’s a risk each side diverges drastically. That could leave the UK and EU struggling to keep control over online harm while contending with possible US retaliation on trade.
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