LONDON (AP) — Twitter has dropped out of a voluntary European Union settlement to fight on-line disinformation, a prime EU official mentioned Friday.

European Commissioner Thierry Breton tweeted that Twitter had pulled out of the EU’s disinformation “code of observe” that different main social media platforms have pledged to help. However he added that Twitter’s “obligation” remained, referring to the EU’s powerful new digital guidelines taking impact in August.

“You’ll be able to run however you may’t disguise,” Breton mentioned.

San Francisco-based Twitter responded with an automatic reply, because it does to most press inquiries, and didn’t remark.

The choice to desert the dedication to preventing false info seems to be the newest transfer by billionaire proprietor Elon Musk to loosen the reins on the social media firm after he purchased it final 12 months. He has rolled again earlier anti-misinformation guidelines, and has thrown its verification system and content-moderation insurance policies into chaos as he pursues his aim of turning Twitter right into a digital city sq..

Google, TikTok, Microsoft and Fb and Instagram dad or mum Meta are amongst those who have signed as much as the EU code, which requires firms to measure their work on combating disinformation and situation common reviews on their progress.

There have been already indicators Twitter wasn’t ready to stay as much as its commitments. The European Fee, the 27-nation bloc’s government arm, blasted Twitter earlier this 12 months for failing to supply a full first report below the code, saying it offered little particular info and no focused knowledge.

Breton mentioned that below the brand new digital guidelines that incorporate the code of observe, preventing disinformation will change into a “authorized obligation.”

“Our groups will likely be prepared for enforcement,” he mentioned.

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