For many Twitter users, the platform’s days are numbered since its takeover by Elon Musk. An observation that could well be shared by European and American legislators.
The social network’s first two weeks under its new management have been eventful to say the least. While the company’s decisions and strategic orientations seem to change almost in real time, the social network’s only stable constant remains its financial situation, which has been catastrophic since day one. But dismissing en masse all the trades he did not know the nature of to lower the operating costs of his new acquisition could well turn against the billionaire and earn him millions of dollars and euros in fines.
Work more to pay more fines
After a first wave of layoffs that affected half of the company’s workforce, the job security of those who remain is as assured as that of a Tesla autopilot. The self-proclaimed crusader of freedom of expression continues to fire with a vengeance at the slightest trace of criticism. He even sent an ultimatum by e-mail to his employees, offering them to work ” long hours at high intensity or leave the company.
Only, if all these layoffs affect moderation, revenues, the technical performance of the platform and the legal departments are also affected. This is particularly the case for the team working in Brussels, responsible for the application of European regulations and relations with the institutions of the Union. Reduced from 8 to 2 people, it finds itself reduced at the worst time, that is to say when the EU is preparing to adopt new regulations. Those who remain will therefore have to work long hours at high intensity to do the work that Meta or Google entrusts to 20 to 30 people.
This team, as well as the moderation of the platform, was already considered largely insufficient before the takeover, and its situation is therefore not going to improve. But this situation, which could become very difficult in the future, should not make us forget the already numerous problems of Twitter in Europe. Indeed, the social network did not respect labor law when it dismissed en masse in Ireland, and it is already under trial in France, Germany, and the Netherlands for broadcasting speeches of hate. The European institutions, which have not held back in recent years when it came to imposing heavy fines on American tech companies, now have an avenue to push Twitter even further.
The US Congress is no exception.
The current and future lawsuits in Europe against the social network suggest that it was not the best time to lay off almost all of its legal services. Especially since Twitter’s problems with the law will probably not stop at European borders. Because the ephemeral Twitter Blue has been there. And the bill for a few thousand $8 subscriptions (which will probably have to be refunded) is likely to be extremely steep. This improbable feature, in addition to scaring away the few remaining advertisers, above all cost a lot of people a lot of money. Not sure, indeed, that a company like LillyPad, on top of its loss of 16 billion dollars in market capitalization because of one of these tweets, lets slip away without flinching.
But the usurpation didn’t stop at Musk and powerful corporations. US Senator Ed Markey directly challenged the billionaire about a certified account that had taken his name. He asked her to explain what had happened and to correct this problem. This request, however, was not really taken seriously by Elon Musk, who replied that his official account looked like a parody. After a brief reminder of all the lawsuits against his companies, the senator added: “ Fix your businesses. Or Congress will do it. It remains to be seen how many laughing crying emojis Musk will tweet when he hears about his first fine.
Sources: Gizmodo, Wired, The Verge
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