Elon Musk, the billionaire owner of social media platform X, could soon be asked to testify before the UK parliament about the platform’s operations. Dawn Butler, a Labour politician and a leading candidate to chair the House of Commons science and technology select committee, revealed plans to invite Musk to provide evidence, highlighting the growing scrutiny of social media giants.

 

Butler told the Financial Times, “It is vital for the committee to formally examine the use of algorithms in pushing hateful material — and the moderation of such content — on X and other social media platforms.” Her comments underscore the committee’s intent to investigate how algorithms may contribute to the spread of harmful and misleading content.

 

Another contender for the committee chair, Labour MP Chi Onwurah, also supports an inquiry into the role of algorithms in social media, particularly their influence on misinformation and profitability. The focus on algorithms reflects a broader concern among global authorities about the impact of Musk’s platform on public discourse and democratic processes.

 

Recently, British officials expressed frustration over X’s resistance to removing posts that were considered threats to national security during some of the most severe riots in England in over a decade. During the unrest, Musk publicly taunted Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer on X, warning that “civil war is inevitable” in the UK. Despite repeated inquiries, Musk did not immediately respond to Butler’s statements or the broader concerns raised by officials.

 

Elections for committee chairs in the Commons are highly competitive, with nominations closing recently and voting set to take place soon. There are 26 select committees in the House of Commons, responsible for scrutinizing ministers, civil servants, and influential figures from relevant sectors.

 

Although MPs cannot compel witnesses to attend hearings, they can declare individuals “in contempt” of parliament if they refuse a formal summons, though the consequences are mostly symbolic. Notable figures like Rupert Murdoch and Sir Philip Green initially resisted appearing before parliamentary committees but eventually complied, demonstrating the pressure such inquiries can exert on high-profile individuals.

 

Committee chair positions are coveted in parliament, offering a significant boost in both prestige and salary. They are seen as valuable platforms for ambitious MPs to advance their careers or for seasoned politicians to continue influencing policy. Chairs receive an additional £18,309 on top of the basic MP salary of £91,346, making these roles not only influential but also financially rewarding.

 

The distribution of committee chair roles is determined by the results of the most recent general election, with Labour securing the majority after their decisive victory in July. As a result, Labour now leads many key committees, including those overseeing Treasury, business, defence, education, and energy. Meanwhile, the Conservatives have retained control over committees dealing with culture, home affairs, and constitutional affairs, and the Liberal Democrats are set to chair committees focused on health, social care, environment, food, and rural affairs.

 

With mounting concerns about the influence of social media and the potential for harmful content to shape public opinion, Musk’s potential appearance before the UK parliament could mark a significant moment in the ongoing debate over tech regulation and corporate responsibility.

 

Credit: FT 2024-09-12

 

 

 

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Good! Lock him up! 

Edited September 12, 20241 yr by WDSmart

If he shows, he’ll not arrive via Paris.

5 minutes ago, WDSmart said:

Good! Lock him up! 

Haha. Lock up anyone you disagree with. The state of liberals in 24

They didn't say that before when the lefty loving wokies owned it and let lefties say anything they wanted.,scared of free.speech and.others having a different opinion...Elon is our hero, free speech must be preserved at all costs

France arrested the CEO of Telegram. Looks like the UK might be  going after Musk next.

 

Pretty soon no one will be able to criticise anyone or anything without the risk of being arrested for hurting someone's feelings.

Good for the UK

He has gone completely MAGA and it plainly obvious why he bought Twitter with the Russian backing was solely to influence the American elections. Looking at Twitter today the MAGA influencers are in complete disarray with confirmation that many of them are in fact paid by Russia. Trump's abysmal performance against a woman of color and now Musk posting sexist remarks about Swift.

Tend to think that when Kamala takes the Whitehouse Musk et al will be wetting their pants.

 

The Brits are the ones who locked up Assange. I'd send a deputy Elon, you can't trust the Brits. They don't have free speech in the UK either and try to infer that some forms of speech are hateful. Freedom of speech that doesn't include the right to insult is not free speech, it is government controlled free speech. 

He should only attend via a video link

if he goes in person they might try the same stunt the French pulled on Pavel Durov,abducted at the airport on arrival.

23 minutes ago, mdr224 said:

Haha. Lock up anyone you disagree with. The state of liberals in 24

Almost 500 posts on an account that is only a few weeks old.  Things that make me go hmmm.

Edited September 12, 20241 yr by shdmn

37 minutes ago, WDSmart said:

Good! Lock him up! 

For what reason?

2 minutes ago, mikeymike100 said:

39 minutes ago, WDSmart said:

Good! Lock him up! 

For what reason?

Because I don't like him... 

The headline reads...................

"Elon Musk May Be Summoned to UK Parliament Over Role of X"

 

Then is the first line of the article it reads............"Elon Musk, the billionaire owner of social media platform X, could soon be asked to testify before the UK parliament about the platform’s operations"

 

They can politely ask or request him to testify, but equally as he is an American in the USA he can politely tell them to <deleted> Off!

No surprise that Labour are going after a believer in free speech. 

 

They wish to silence opposing or critical views, like all leftists. 

 

Liberals in 2024 are the most illiberal, intolerant group in politics. 

3 minutes ago, mikeymike100 said:

The headline reads...................

"Elon Musk May Be Summoned to UK Parliament Over Role of X"

 

Then is the first line of the article it reads............"Elon Musk, the billionaire owner of social media platform X, could soon be asked to testify before the UK parliament about the platform’s operations"

 

They can politely ask or request him to testify, but equally as he is an American in the USA he can politely tell them to <deleted> Off!

Lets hope he tells them to F off! lol

15 minutes ago, mikeymike100 said:

For what reason?

He is a moron

10 minutes ago, mikeymike100 said:

The headline reads...................

"Elon Musk May Be Summoned to UK Parliament Over Role of X"

 

Then is the first line of the article it reads............"Elon Musk, the billionaire owner of social media platform X, could soon be asked to testify before the UK parliament about the platform’s operations"

 

They can politely ask or request him to testify, but equally as he is an American in the USA he can politely tell them to <deleted> Off!

Then just shut down the X crap in UK, anyway good for hate and fake news only.

1 minute ago, UWEB said:

Then just shut down the X crap in UK, anyway good for hate and fake news only.

So what attracts you to the hate and fake news posts. Because there is a lot more than hate or fake news on X. 

 

Musk will eat those bozos for breakfast.  

15 minutes ago, WDSmart said:

Because I don't like him... 

Because he is a winner.

5 minutes ago, UWEB said:

He is a moron

Highly intelligent reasoning.

11 minutes ago, CharlieKo said:

Lets hope he tells them to F off! lol

I would rather he attends, and humiliates their stupidity. 

20 minutes ago, UWEB said:

He is a moron

Self-evidently untrue, by a huge margin. 

 

Musk is a genius with an almost supernatural ability to absorb and synthesise information, and understand the future implications. 

 

He is certainly neurodivergent ('on the spectrum') and his posts can appear blunt, offbeat, unfiltered, or just plain weird  (example.. his contribution to the football team cave boys situation).  But this does not detract from his genius or his importance to society right now. 

 

 

 

Edited September 12, 20241 yr by SportRider

1 hour ago, maesariang said:

Highly intelligent reasoning.

Forgot to mention that he is a Trump and MAGA Supporter, what makes him even more stupid.

 

 

The guy is weird.....he'll fit right in to Mr Trump's oufit.

 

 

8 hours ago, Social Media said:

“It is vital for the committee to formally examine the use of algorithms in pushing hateful material — and the moderation of such content — on X and other social media platforms.”

"hateful" = anything we don't like/punctures our narrative.

36 minutes ago, Will B Good said:

 

 

The guy is weird.....he'll fit right in to Mr Trump's oufit.

 

 

 

Given that Swift has made a career about singing about her poor choices in life, her endorsement of Harris is hardly a surprise. 

2 minutes ago, JonnyF said:

 

Given that Swift has made a career about singing about her poor choices in life, her endorsement of Harris is hardly a surprise. 

 

 

I can see how that might console you......good luck with that.

 

 

3 hours ago, UWEB said:

Then just shut down the X crap in UK, anyway good for hate and fake news only.

Just have one acronym.....VPN

The problem seems to be who decides what is “disinformation”?  
It’s like “who judges the judges”?