logo
EU Quizzes Musk's X over xAI Takeover Amid Digital Services Act Probe

EU Quizzes Musk's X over xAI Takeover Amid Digital Services Act Probe

The European Union's tech enforcers have sent questionnaires to Elon Musk's X after his xAI business acquired the social network this year.
The scrutiny comes as the European Commission moves forward with an investigation into X under the Digital Services Act, the bloc's new rulebook that obliges companies that run popular platforms to do more to tackle harms online, from poor transparency in e-commerce to disinformation on social media.

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Ditchit Detonates Iconic Twitter Bird to Symbolize Launch of Local Marketplace
Ditchit Detonates Iconic Twitter Bird to Symbolize Launch of Local Marketplace

Miami Herald

time12 minutes ago

  • Miami Herald

Ditchit Detonates Iconic Twitter Bird to Symbolize Launch of Local Marketplace

DOVER, DE / ACCESS Newswire / June 20, 2025 / In a fiery spectacle worthy of Silicon Valley lore, Ditchit - a rising star in the online marketplace space and rival to OfferUp - has made headlines by purchasing and then blowing up the original 560-pound Twitter bird sign once perched atop the company's San Francisco headquarters. The marketing stunt, filmed in the Nevada desert with a 15-person production crew, four Tesla Cybertrucks, and a Hollywood pyrotechnics expert, marked a symbolic farewell to legacy tech monopolies and a bold introduction to Ditchit's mission: to build a local marketplace that puts people before profits. "Elon Musk rebranded Twitter to X to support free expression. At Ditchit, we're doing the same for local marketplaces," said Ditchit spokesman James Deluca. "Today's platforms are filled with ads, fees, and algorithms that prioritize businesses over people. Ditchit is different-free to use, ad-free, and designed to support real communities and real sellers." The 12-foot-tall Twitter logo, affectionately known as "Larry," was purchased at auction for $34,000 earlier this year. While the initial acquisition was driven by nostalgia, the company ultimately decided to transform the artifact into a symbol of disruption. The resulting video, now live on YouTube, shows the massive sign's explosive end outside of Las Vegas, capturing a cinematic moment that's already garnering viral attention. But "Larry's" story doesn't end in smoke. Fragments of the sign have been salvaged and will be sold on the Ditchit app in a sealed-bid auction starting today. 100% of proceeds will go to the Center for American Entrepreneurship, a nonprofit that champions startup innovation and supports the next generation of entrepreneurs. "Many entrepreneurs get their start on local marketplace apps," Deluca added. "We're here to support that journey-not just through our platform, but through action." With the stunt, Ditchit isn't just selling a piece of tech history. It's signaling a new era for digital marketplaces - one powered by transparency, accessibility, and the belief that local economies deserve better. About DitchitDitchit is a community-first local marketplace built for everyday buyers and sellers. Unlike traditional platforms, Ditchit is ad-free, fee-free, and designed to keep transactions simple and fair. Founded in 2024, the Ditchit app is available for iOS and Android. Media Contact:James DelucaPR Manager, SOURCE: Ditchit

As Musk's 'robotaxi' rollout approaches, Democratic lawmakers in Texas try to throw up a roadblock
As Musk's 'robotaxi' rollout approaches, Democratic lawmakers in Texas try to throw up a roadblock

Yahoo

time25 minutes ago

  • Yahoo

As Musk's 'robotaxi' rollout approaches, Democratic lawmakers in Texas try to throw up a roadblock

NEW YORK (AP) — A group of Democratic lawmakers in Texas is asking Elon Musk to delay the planned rollout of driverless 'robotaxis' in the state this weekend to assure that the vehicles are safe. In a letter, seven state legislators asked Tesla to wait until September when a new law takes effect that will require several checks before autonomous vehicles can be deployed without a human in the driver's seat. Tesla is slated to begin testing a dozen of what it calls robotaxis for paying customers on Sunday in a limited area of Austin, Texas. 'We are formally requesting that Tesla delay autonomous robotaxi operations until the new law takes effect on September 1, 2025,' the letter from Wednesday, June 18, reads. 'We believe this is in the best interest of both public safety and building public trust in Tesla's operations.' It's not clear if the letter will have much impact. Republicans have been a dominant majority in the Texas Legislature for more than 20 years. State lawmakers and Republican Gov. Greg Abbott have generally embraced Musk and the jobs and investment he has brought to Texas, from his SpaceX rocket program on the coast, to his Tesla factory in Austin. The company, which is headquartered in Austin, did not responded immediately to a request for comment from The Associated Press. The law will require companies to secure approval from the state motor vehicles department to operate autonomous cars with passengers. That approval, in turn, would depend on sufficient proof that the cars won't pose a high risk to others if the self-driving system breaks down, among other reassurances. Companies would also have to file detailed plans for how first responders should handle the cars if there is a problem, such as an accident. The letter asked Tesla to assure the legislators it has met all the requirements of the law even if it decides to go ahead with the test run this weekend. The letter was earlier reported by Reuters. Musk has made the robotaxi program a priority at Tesla and a failure would likely be highly damaging to the company's stock, which has already tumbled 20% this year. Musk's political views and his affiliation with the Trump administration have drastically reduced sales of Tesla, particularly in Europe, where Musk's endorsement of Germany's far-right Alternative for Germany party in February's election drew broad condemnation. Tesla shares bottomed out in March and have rebounded somewhat in recent months. Much of the rise reflects optimism that robotaxis will not only be deployed without a hitch, but that the service will quickly expand to other cities and eventually dominate the self-driving cab business. Rival Waymo is already picking up passengers in Austin and several other cities, and recently boasted of surpassing 10 million paid rides. In afternoon trading Friday, Tesla shares were largely unchanged at $320. ________ AP reporter Jim Vertuno contributed from Austin. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data

As Musk's 'robotaxi' rollout approaches, Democratic lawmakers in Texas try to throw up a roadblock
As Musk's 'robotaxi' rollout approaches, Democratic lawmakers in Texas try to throw up a roadblock

Associated Press

time29 minutes ago

  • Associated Press

As Musk's 'robotaxi' rollout approaches, Democratic lawmakers in Texas try to throw up a roadblock

NEW YORK (AP) — A group of Democratic lawmakers in Texas is asking Elon Musk to delay the planned rollout of driverless 'robotaxis' in the state this weekend to assure that the vehicles are safe. In a letter, seven state legislators asked Tesla to wait until September when a new law takes effect that will require several checks before autonomous vehicles can be deployed without a human in the driver's seat. Tesla is slated to begin testing a dozen of what it calls robotaxis for paying customers on Sunday in a limited area of Austin, Texas. 'We are formally requesting that Tesla delay autonomous robotaxi operations until the new law takes effect on September 1, 2025,' the letter from Wednesday, June 18, reads. 'We believe this is in the best interest of both public safety and building public trust in Tesla's operations.' It's not clear if the letter will have much impact. Republicans have been a dominant majority in the Texas Legislature for more than 20 years. State lawmakers and Republican Gov. Greg Abbott have generally embraced Musk and the jobs and investment he has brought to Texas, from his SpaceX rocket program on the coast, to his Tesla factory in Austin. The company, which is headquartered in Austin, did not responded immediately to a request for comment from The Associated Press. The law will require companies to secure approval from the state motor vehicles department to operate autonomous cars with passengers. That approval, in turn, would depend on sufficient proof that the cars won't pose a high risk to others if the self-driving system breaks down, among other reassurances. Companies would also have to file detailed plans for how first responders should handle the cars if there is a problem, such as an accident. The letter asked Tesla to assure the legislators it has met all the requirements of the law even if it decides to go ahead with the test run this weekend. The letter was earlier reported by Reuters. Musk has made the robotaxi program a priority at Tesla and a failure would likely be highly damaging to the company's stock, which has already tumbled 20% this year. Musk's political views and his affiliation with the Trump administration have drastically reduced sales of Tesla, particularly in Europe , where Musk's endorsement of Germany's far-right Alternative for Germany party in February's election drew broad condemnation . Tesla shares bottomed out in March and have rebounded somewhat in recent months. Much of the rise reflects optimism that robotaxis will not only be deployed without a hitch, but that the service will quickly expand to other cities and eventually dominate the self-driving cab business. Rival Waymo is already picking up passengers in Austin and several other cities, and recently boasted of surpassing 10 million paid rides. In afternoon trading Friday, Tesla shares were largely unchanged at $320. ________ AP reporter Jim Vertuno contributed from Austin.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store