Elon Musk should be arrested if he incited UK riots: Ex-Twitter chief

Bruce Daisley says it is unacceptable for tech executives to cause societal discord without facing consequences

Elon Musk should face “personal sanctions” and even the possibility of an “arrest warrant” if found to be inciting public disorder on his social media platform, according to a former Twitter executive.

Bruce Daisley, who previously served as Twitter’s vice-president for Europe, the Middle East, and Africa, expressed these views in an article for the Guardian. Daisley argues that it is unacceptable for tech executives like Musk to cause societal discord without facing personal consequences.

Daisley suggests that UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer should “beef up” online safety laws and reconsider whether media regulator Ofcom is equipped to handle the rapid changes instigated by figures like Musk. He believes personal sanctions would be more effective than corporate fines in influencing tech executives.

The UK government has urged social media platforms to act responsibly following recent unrest triggered by false claims related to a stabbing incident at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class in Southport. The Prime Minister has criticised social media companies for spreading misinformation about the attacker and has taken steps to address the role of online posts in inciting violence.

Musk’s provocative statements, including a post predicting “civil war” in the UK and sharing false information about Starmer, have drawn criticism. Justice Minister Heidi Alexander labelled Musk’s comments as “unacceptable,” and Musk’s social media activity has included false claims about Starmer’s policies, which he later deleted.

Daisley, who worked at Twitter (now X) from 2012 to 2020, compares Musk’s behaviour to “a teenager on the bus with no headphones, creating lots of noise.” He contends that an arrest warrant could compel Musk to reconsider his actions, though he acknowledges that Musk’s international lifestyle might mitigate the impact.

Daisley calls for urgent legislative action to regain control over social media content, suggesting that the current approach to online safety needs strengthening. He criticises tech firms for prioritising cost over principles and advocates for holding tech executives accountable under existing laws, including the Online Safety Act 2023.

He also argues that Ofcom should have the authority to remove certain problematic voices from platforms. Daisley’s critique reflects growing concerns about the influence of tech billionaires and their responsibilities in managing online content.