Additional Coverage:
**Meta’s Clegg Criticizes Elon Musk’s X as ‘Platform for Elites’ and Unchecked Speech**
In a recent critique, Meta’s top executive, Nick Clegg, took aim at Elon Musk’s X platform, describing it as an elite space rife with unregulated speech. Speaking at a London think tank, Clegg, formerly the UK’s deputy prime minister and now Meta’s president for global affairs, compared X to Facebook and Instagram. He argued that X, bought by Musk in 2022, became “a hyper-partisan and ideological project.”
Clegg highlighted that some users banned from Meta’s platforms managed to incite far-right protests in the UK last month by continuing their activities on X and Telegram. He specifically mentioned controversial figures like Andrew Tate, who remains banned from Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, and YouTube, and far-right activist Tommy Robinson, emphasizing that both continued to spread their messages on X.
While X claims 250 million daily active users, Meta’s platforms boast 3.3 billion, according to recent earnings reports. However, Meta itself faces criticisms, especially for its role in issues like illicit drug sales and inadequate online safety measures for children. Globally, Meta has also been scrutinized for its content moderation failures, contributing to violence in countries like Myanmar, Iraq, and Ethiopia.
**Troubles for X Under Musk**
Since Elon Musk’s takeover, X, formerly known as Twitter, has faced numerous challenges. Musk introduced a paid verification system that replaced the prestigious blue checkmark, stirring confusion and fostering misinformation. In June, X permitted explicit content with certain labels, compounding concerns about the platform’s direction.
Hate speech surged as content moderation rules loosened, and X disbanded its Trust and Safety council, which had been key to user safety recommendations. Musk himself has fueled conspiracy theories, further complicating the platform’s image.
Financially, X has struggled, with ad revenues plummeting by 50% as major advertisers like Apple, IBM, and Disney pulled out. This came after Musk supported an antisemitic post on the platform. Additionally, X’s business woes have deepened with its suspension in Brazil, where it had a significant user base, due to failing to appoint a new legal representative.
Musk did not immediately provide a comment when reached out to outside regular business hours.
**Source:** Business Insider