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The Minister of Digital Transition and Telecommunications of France, Jean-Noël Barrot, warned today that the European Union (EU) will ban the use of Twitter if the company violates the rules against disinformation in the European community space.

The social network acquired by billionaire Elon Musk comes from withdrawing from the European code of good practice against disinformation, a step that the official said will not allow him to circumvent the new law on the digital field, which will enter into force on August 25 in the 27 member states of the bloc.

This rule provides for the obligation to remove illegal content and will prevent advertising aimed at minors, with penalties that include fines of up to six percent of turnover for companies far from compliance.

"I hope Twitter will settle for European rules by then, otherwise it will no longer be welcome," Barrot told Franceinfo.

According to the minister, while the network "plays an important role in the public debate", it will not be able to avoid the commitment to fight disinformation.

This is one of the threats that weigh on our democracy, and we cannot put public debate at risk, he added.

Faced with Twitter's decision to leave the code of good practice against disinformation, the EU Commissioner for Industry, Thierry Breton, insisted that the rules of conduct are maintained.

The rules included in the code will be an obligation from August 25, and we will be ready to enforce them, he added.

(With information from Prensa Latina)

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