Elon Musk's X: Trust, Safety, and Political Controversies

David Papadopoulos explores the erosion of trust on X under Elon Musk's leadership, raising concerns about real-world consequences.

### The Evolution of Trust and Safety in Social Media: A Critical Discussion on X under Elon Musk
* 🎙 David Papadopoulos, host of Bloomberg's E-learning podcast, introduces the panel at the Bloomberg Tech Summit in London, featuring Max Chaffin and Devika Shanker, to discuss the theme of **trust** in relation to **Elon Musk's management of X**.
* 🔍 Devika explains that the trust and safety teams at social media platforms are responsible for **defining and enforcing acceptable online behavior**, **ensuring user safety**, and **complying with regulations**, but Musk's significant layoffs of these teams pose **real-world risks**.
* ⚖ The discussion highlights how the absence of a **robust trust and safety team** on X has led to an **increase in harmful content** and a **deterioration of discourse**, particularly in **non-English speaking countries**.
* 📊 Max contrasts Musk's casual decision-making style with Facebook's more formal processes, emphasizing the **importance of objective and consistent decision-making** in maintaining user trust.
* 🌍 The conversation shifts to the real-world implications of social media influence, particularly in the context of recent riots in the UK, raising questions about whether such events would occur without social media's role in **mobilizing individuals**.
* 📉 Devika points out that the lack of oversight on platforms like X allows for the **spread of disinformation**, particularly from **state-sponsored media**, which can have **severe consequences** in politically volatile regions.
* 📅 As the discussion wraps up, the panel anticipates potential regulatory actions against Musk and X in Europe, stressing the **need for accountability in maintaining safety standards** on social media platforms.
* ⚠ The panel concludes with a warning that without consequences for neglecting trust and safety, the message sent to other platforms could **undermine efforts to create safer online environments**.

How much political influence does Elon Musk have?

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Bloomberg Technology

The Controversial Evolution of X under Elon Musk

Elon Musk's takeover of Twitter, now X, involved gutting 80% of the trust and safety team, leading to real-world consequences and a noticeable increase in problematic content on the platform.

The lack of a strong team to enforce safety measures has resulted in a proliferation of issues, particularly in non-English speaking countries.

Musk's decision to bring back former President Trump to the platform via a poll further highlights the chaotic approach to governance on X.

The Controversy of Trump's Return to Social Media

The decision to ban and potentially reinstate Trump on social media has sparked debate, with contrasting approaches from Facebook and Musk.

The philosophical question of how open social media companies should be and the role of free speech adds to the complexity.

Musk's shifting position on free speech and his involvement in political campaigning raise concerns about consistency and trust in decision-making.

X is seen as a key platform for spreading disinformation, with no labels on Russian state-sponsored content and a low chance of removal.

Despite its shrinking user base, X remains culturally relevant, particularly in U.

The platform's ongoing influence has drawn attention from regulators worldwide, amidst a larger diplomatic conflict between India and Canada.

The Influence of State Media and Social Media on Riots

State media, particularly from Russia, is a top source of information in India, using localized content to entertain and influence.

The virtual mob created by social media networks is now a powerful force, leading to real-life riots, as seen in the UK.

The role of social media in inciting these riots raises questions about its impact on real-world events.

The Impact of Social Media on Real-World Events

Social media platforms are criticized for their role in exacerbating real-world crises, with leaders like Elon Musk seemingly ignoring the issue.

The spread of misleading information on these platforms has had dire consequences, such as political turmoil and communal violence in Bangladesh.

The impact of technology on real-world events varies, being more pronounced in countries like Myanmar, Bangladesh, and India.

Musk's Potential Collision Course with European Regulators

Musk and X's leadership were expected to be held accountable in the UK, but that never happened.

There is a growing movement in the UK and Europe for stricter regulation of social media.

The regulators' actions will be crucial in sending a message about compliance and safety, potentially leading to a collision course with Musk and X.