Main topic: X (formerly known as Twitter) throttling traffic to websites disliked by Elon Musk.
Key points:
1. X slowed down access to websites including The New York Times, Instagram, Facebook, Bluesky, Threads, Reuters, and Substack.
2. These websites have been publicly attacked by Musk in the past.
3. The delays potentially affected the traffic and ad revenue of these companies.
Hint on Elon Musk: Musk has previously blocked links to competitors, called the New York Times "propaganda," and took away their verification check mark. He has also feuded with Mark Zuckerberg and threatened a cage fight.
Former pharmaceutical executive and convicted securities fraudster Martin Shkreli claims he has been lobbying Elon Musk through mutual friends to regain access to his original X (formerly Twitter) account, alleging that Musk's actions contradict his stance on free speech; Shkreli believes Musk may be jealous of him and his machismo.
Elon Musk is engaging with white nationalists and antisemites on Twitter, supporting a campaign to ban the Anti-Defamation League from the platform.
Elon Musk accuses the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) of falsely accusing his platform, X, of being anti-Semitic and threatening to file a defamation lawsuit against them, while also claiming that X's advertising revenue has dropped by 60% due to pressure from the ADL.
Anti-Defamation League CEO Jonathan Greenblatt criticizes Elon Musk for boosting the antisemitic #BanTheADL campaign and considering a lawsuit against the civil rights group, calling his behavior dangerous and irresponsible.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is expected to meet with Elon Musk during his visit to San Francisco, despite Musk's recent involvement in antisemitic controversies.
Elon Musk refused to allow Ukraine to use SpaceX's Starlink satellite communications to launch a surprise drone submarine attack on Russian forces in Crimea, citing concerns of a nuclear response from Russia. This decision has drawn praise from Russian President Vladimir Putin and has prompted a Senate probe into Musk's actions. Additionally, Musk is set to meet with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to discuss artificial intelligence. However, Musk is also facing accusations of tolerating antisemitic messages on his social media platform.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Tesla CEO Elon Musk discussed artificial intelligence (AI) and its potential threats during a live talk on the X platform, with Musk calling AI "potentially the greatest civilizational threat" and expressing concern over who would be in charge, while Netanyahu highlighted the need to prevent the amplification of hatred and mentioned the potential end of scarcity and democracy due to AI. The two also discussed antisemitism and the role of AI in fighting hatred.
Elon Musk, CEO of SpaceX and Tesla, revealed plans for his social network, X (formerly Twitter), to introduce a monthly payment system to combat bots, but did not disclose the cost or additional features included, while also claiming to have 550 million monthly users generating millions of daily posts, without specifying the authenticity of these users. Musk's discussion with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also addressed concerns over hate speech and antisemitism on the platform, following Musk's previous amplification of such content. Musk's takeover of Twitter led to significant changes, including staff cuts, the restoration of previously suspended accounts, and the elimination of Twitter's verification system.
