Starmer on Friday warned that online content “is not a law-free zone” but conceded that following the recent disorder, the government is “going to have to look more broadly” at social media. “People should be mindful of the first priority, which is to ensure that our communities are safe and secure,” he told broadcasters when asked if Musk should be more careful of what he posts on X.

Musk’s enormous reach and influence has limited the government’s ability to force X to do more to limit racist content that has fueled violence on British streets in a dramatic illustration of the power global technology companies now wield. Starmer himself has avoided engaging directly online with the billionaire — and doesn’t plan to try privately either — for fear of getting into a war of words the government risks losing, the people said, asking for anonymity to discuss private matters. 

Musk’s post claiming “civil war is inevitable” drew criticism from a Downing Street spokesman. But the prospect of direct intervention by the new UK prime minister raises fears of a public feud with Musk like the one Australian Premier Anthony Albanese waged with little success earlier this year.

Some British officials have hinted at the challenge they face in dealing with the outspoken billionaire.

“Don’t underestimate the impact that he can have, not just on public discourse, but on actual facts on the ground,” Technology Secretary Peter Kyle told the Times this week. “So, the relationship we have with some of these companies is much more akin to the negotiations with fellow secretaries of state in other countries, simply because of the scale and scope that they have.”

UK officials are discussing whether to revisit part of the Online Safety Act, according to the people familiar with the efforts. The bill was watered down by the last government, which removed language that would have regulated “legal but harmful” content in order to allay concerns of free speech campaigners. 

The legislation gives regulators the power to impose large fines and, in extreme cases, block social media platforms that don’t comply. Some senior politicians believe it doesn’t go far enough in its current form.

The next day, Musk compared the UK to the Soviet Union and accused Britain of “two-tier policing” — a conspiracy theory that has grown online that police forces treat Britons differently based on their politics. On Thursday, Musk shared a post by the co-leader of Britain First, a far-right party, that showed a falsified news article about the UK deporting those arrested in the riots. Musk later deleted his post.

And that’s not to mention the large amounts of racist content posted by other X users that UK officials say has helped fuel disturbances that have erupted in isolated pockets across the country, particularly in the north. Musk’s company has been among the least cooperative of major social media companies as authorities seek to get incendiary posts removed, the people said.

“Every other tech company would turn down the temperature in this situation, but Musk is cranking up the heat,” said Nu Wexler, the former head of policy communications at Twitter, X’s former name. “It might work in the US, but it’s risky in Europe where tech regulators are empowered and platforms have fewer protections.”

“Musk appears to be deliberately thumbing his nose at any sense he’s held accountable,” said Bruce Daisley, a former vice president for Twitter. “These people are operating as a renegade business beyond the local law.” 

Despite it being tricky to hold tech leaders accountable, the British justice system is trying to bring down a heavy hand on individuals using social platforms to incite violence. On Thursday, Tyler Kay, 26, pleaded guilty to writing an offensive anti-immigration post on X a day earlier, calling for hotels housing asylum seekers to be set alight. He’s due for sentencing later Friday. 

“The fact that we have seen this week not just people in court but being sentenced to significant terms of custody for their behavior just a few days ago I think is a very important message to anyone who is thinking of getting involved in the coming days,” Starmer said. 

An expected night of rioting on Wednesday was averted by a heavy turnout by police and thousands of anti-racism counter-protesters. Starmer said on Thursday that authorities would maintain their crackdown on far-right violence.

In the first days of the disturbances, triggered after false online claims that a Muslim asylum-seeker was responsible for the brutal murder of three girls in Southport on July 29, the prime minister appealed to social media companies to intervene.

“Let me also say to large social media companies, and those who run them, violent disorder clearly whipped up online: that is also a crime. It’s happening on your premises, and the law must be upheld everywhere,” Starmer said at a news conference last week, calling for “a mature conversation to take place.”

Musk has increasingly wielded his influence to forge relations with senior politicians — including doing an interview with former UK Premier Rishi Sunak while attending a summit on artificial intelligence last year. Most recently, he endorsed Donald Trump for US President. Trump announced this week that he will do an interview with Musk on Monday.

But Musk has also used his X platform to openly criticize governments.

First Published: Aug 09 2024 | 6:49 PM IST