MPs invite Elon Musk to discuss Twitter takeover
MPs have asked Elon Musk to answer questions about his Twitter takeover, as he said he was looking at charging some users.
Tory Julian Knight, Commons digital committee chairman, has written to the tech tycoon inviting him to appear in front of MPs.
Knight said he wanted to hear more about plans to verify people’s identities on the social network and for the billionaire to explain his plans to boost free speech.
Neither electric car firm Tesla, where Musk is chief executive, nor Twitter would say whether he would take up the invitation.
The committee has few powers to force Musk to travel to Britain.
Under its previous chairman, Damian Collins, it failed to get Facebook chief executive Mark Zuckerberg to give evidence.
A showdown between Musk and MPs could be tetchy as the UK’s Online Safety Bill looks to crack down on social media activities.
Knight wrote: ‘My committee has noted your proposed acquisition and we are interested in the developments you propose.’
The invitation was made public as the world’s richest man said he would start charging business and government users. He has said Twitter will be free for ‘casual users’. Musk is buying Twitter for £35bn and wants to improve its ability to make money.