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EU Probes Elon Musk’s X Over Illegal Content

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The European Union (EU), on Monday,  initiated action against Elon Musk’s X (formerly known as Twitter) under a new law aimed at combating illegal online content.

This action marks the first major move against an online platform since the implementation of the Digital Services Act (DSA).

The EU identified disinformation linked to Hamas’s attack in Israel on October 7 as the basis for these “formal infringement proceedings,” reinforcing online companies’ responsibility for content moderation.

EU Commissioner Thierry Breton highlighted the significance of the Digital Services Act (DSA) by stating, “Today’s opening of formal proceedings against X makes it clear that, with the DSA, the time of big online platforms behaving like they are ‘too big to care’ has come to an end.

“We will now start an in-depth investigation of X’s compliance with the DSA obligations concerning countering the dissemination and amplification of illegal content and disinformation in the EU, transparency of the platforms and design of the user interface.”

The European Commission said a preliminary information-gathering investigation it launched against X in October, which included looking at “the dissemination of illegal content in the context of Hamas’ terrorist attacks against Israel”, led to Monday’s probe.

On the basis of that information, “the Commission has decided to open formal infringement proceedings against X under the Digital Services Act”, it said.

The formal investigation will focus on four main areas: the spread of illegal content, the effectiveness of X’s actions against disinformation, potential limitations on researchers accessing its data, and alleged deceptive practices associated with its Blue Tick subscription.

If found guilty under the DSA, penalties could involve fines reaching up to six percent of the company’s global revenues.

In severe and recurrent cases of violation, the EU holds the authority to prohibit a platform from operating within the 27-nation bloc.

Under the formal investigation of X, the Commission will further collect evidence through additional information requests, interviews, or inspections.

These proceedings grant the Commission the authority to instruct X to take interim or corrective measures while the investigation continues.

The ongoing proceedings against X have no set deadline for conclusion.

Following the initial inquiry against X, the European Commission also initiated similar preliminary investigations into TikTok, YouTube, and Meta (owner of Facebook).

These investigations aim to assess how these platforms managed disinformation and illegal content linked to the Hamas attack.

BIZTELLERS recalls that the Hamas attack on October 7 killed around 1,140 people in Israel, most of them civilians, and took an estimated 240 people hostage, according to updated Israeli figures.

In response, Israel retaliated with an intense bombardment of the Gaza Strip, which is controlled by Hamas.

More than 18,800 Palestinians around 70 percent of them women, young children and adolescents have been killed in the Gaza Strip in Israeli bombardments since October 7, according to the Hamas government’s health ministry, and much of the besieged territory has been reduced to rubble.

 

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Adeleke, Sanwo-Olu Jaw-Jaw Over Lagos’ Deportation To Osun

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Osun State Governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke has been in strong conversations with his Lagos State counterpart, Babajide Sannwo-Olu over the alleged deportation of Osun indigenes from Lagos.

A statement from the government of Osun State highlighted that Sahara Reporters had on Saturday published a story about several luxury buses dropping hundreds of youth at Ilesa after allegedly rounding them up in several parts of Lagos State.

According to the statement, “The report was confirmed by an investigation team set up to confirm the veracity of the story by the Osun State Government.”

This, it was gathered has prompted strong conversations between the governors of the two states, which led to the Sanwo-Olu assuring that the matter would be thoroughly investigated.

On the authenticity of the report, Osun State, declared, “The state team reported that eye witness accounts confirmed the dropping of the youths in several luxurious buses by a team suspected to be from Lagos State.

“The state’s report showed that the youths were systematically dropped at Ilesa-Akure Express junction, Breweries; Ilesa – Ibodi – Iginla to Ife Express junction; Osun Ankara Express junction; Imelu Express junction; and Iperindo Express junction.”

It was gathered that Gov Adeleke expressed shock at the development, urging Governor Sanwoolu to look into the matter and put an end to it if the report is true.

Gov Adeleke said, “I spoke with my brother, Governor Sanwo-Olu on the matter. He too was surprised and he denied ever authorizing any such action.

“Governor Sanwo-Olu has promised immediate investigation to unravel the facts of the situation. The Lagos team will update us as quickly as possible.

“I am subsequently directing our security agencies in Osun to mount surveillance in and around Ilesa to track the deported youths and their destinations.

“I will update our people on this development. I urge residents to be calm while the security agencies carry out surveillance.”

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Chaos As Edo Speaker Suspends Shaibu’s Ally, Two Others

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In response to allegations of a conspiracy to impeach him and other high-ranking officials of the Assembly, Speaker Blessing Agbebaku of the Edo State House of Assembly took decisive action on Monday by suspending three lawmakers.

Among those suspended is Donald Okogbe, representing the PDP in Akoko-Edo II constituency, who notably refrained from endorsing the petition that resulted in the impeachment of Deputy Governor Philip Shaibu, a close ally.

The other two lawmakers he suspended are Addeh Emankhu Isibor of the APC representing Esan North-East I, and Iyamu Bright, representing the PDP in Orhionnwon II.

Agbebaku also alleged that the trio had arranged for the presence of traditional healers at the Assembly premises on May 1st, around 1 am, purportedly for ritualistic purposes.

Agbebaku declared the indefinite suspension of the three lawmakers, asserting that external influences were driving them to disrupt proceedings and oust the Assembly’s leadership.

However, the suspension sparked tension within the House as the affected lawmakers vehemently protested against their suspension.

During a chaotic session, the three suspended lawmakers vocally objected, arguing, “Mr. Speaker, you lack the authority to unilaterally suspend any member(s) of the house. You must put it to a vote. Let the members vote on the issue.”

Following the commotion, the Speaker abruptly adjourned the plenary session.

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JUST IN: Ikeja DisCo Reduces Tariffs For Band A Customers

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In a significant development, the Ikeja Electricity Distribution Company (IKEDC) has announced a tariff reduction for its Band A customers.

Effective immediately from Monday, May 6, 2024, customers in Band A will see their tariff lowered to N206.80 per kilowatt-hour, down from the previously approved rate of N225/kWh by the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission.

This decision, disclosed by IKEDC spokesperson Olufadeke Omo-Omorodion on Monday, marks a proactive measure by the company to provide relief to its Band A customers.

Notably, while this adjustment ensures a minimum of 20-hour daily power supply for those on Band A feeders, tariffs for customers on other bands remain unchanged.

IKEDC said “Dear Esteemed Customers, please be informed of the downward tariff review of our Band A feeders from N225/kWh to N206.80/kWh effective 6th May 2024 with guaranteed availability of 20-24hrs supply daily. The tariff for Bands B, C, D, and E remains unchanged.”

Recalls that on April 3, the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) revised the electricity tariff for Band A customers dramatically, soaring from N68 per kilowatt-hour to N255/KWh. It’s worth noting that this tariff hike did not affect other customer categories.

Since the release of the supplementary Multi-Year Tariff Order, consumers categorized as Band A have been expressing discontent, citing the significant impact of the tariff increase on their finances.

They have been calling on the Federal Government to reconsider this policy.

However, during an investigative hearing before the Senate Committee on Power last Monday, the Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, issued a stark warning.

He emphasized that if the electricity tariff hike was not implemented, the nation could face a total blackout within the next three months.

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