{"id":234905,"date":"2022-04-28T17:30:42","date_gmt":"2022-04-28T16:30:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cryptoslate.com\/?p=234905"},"modified":"2022-04-28T17:11:38","modified_gmt":"2022-04-28T16:11:38","slug":"us-watchdog-says-it-cannot-block-musks-twitter-purchase","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cryptoslate.com\/us-watchdog-says-it-cannot-block-musks-twitter-purchase\/","title":{"rendered":"US watchdog says it cannot block Musk’s Twitter purchase"},"content":{"rendered":"

It is no longer news that <\/span>Elon Musk<\/span><\/a> has <\/span>acquired<\/span><\/a> Twitter. But several entities and organizations have opposed the deal, including Open Markets Institute, which claims regulators can block the deal.<\/span><\/p>\n

However, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Commissioner Brendan Carr has responded by stating that the agency has no powers to prevent the acquisition.<\/span><\/p>\n

According to his statement:<\/span><\/p>\n

The FCC has zero authority to block Musk\u2019s purchase of Twitter. And it is particularly frivolous to ask the agency to do so in the name of protecting free speech and open debate.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

This was in response to the Open Markets Institute\u2019s claim that the Commission, alongside other federal agencies like the Department of Justice (DOJ) and Federal Trade Commission (FTC), could prevent the deal.<\/span><\/p>\n

A <\/span>statement<\/span><\/a> released on April 26 by the Institute claimed that the deal poses a threat to \u201cAmerican democracy and free speech.\u201d It also stated that it violates existing laws. Thus, regulators have the power to block the deal.<\/span><\/p>\n

But the statement from FCC commissioner Brendan Carr will end that speculation as far the agency is concerned.<\/span><\/p>\n

However, there are still many regulatory approvals before Musk can officially assume ownership of Twitter.<\/span><\/p>\n

Will Musk\u2019s Twitter purchase ensure free speech?<\/b><\/h2>\n

While regulators might claim they don\u2019t have the power, several others share the opinions of Open Markets about the acquisition.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

According to these critics, the main concern about Musk\u2019s Twitter purchase is that it would only increase his influence to the detriment of free speech.<\/span><\/p>\n

This appears ironic given that Musk claimed his reason for buying the social media platform was to ensure free speech. The billionaire, who has been very active on the platform, stated that he plans to make Twitter maximum fun in a recent tweet.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

Let\u2019s make Twitter maximum fun!<\/p>\n

— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) April 28, 2022<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n