Archive · 29 Sep 2026
Elon Musk Calls for Social Media Rules Against Misinformation
Elon Musk is a technology entrepreneur who leads several major companies.
In April 2018, he discussed social media during an interview.
He said false stories can spread very quickly online.
He argued that sensational false information may attract more attention than true news.
Musk described this as a kind of public deception.
He believes rules may be needed when social media harms people or society.
He compared these rules with safety standards for cars, food, and aeroplanes.
His main concern was protecting public safety, democracy, and the public good.
Elon Musk made the statement during an April 2018 CBS This Morning interview.
He argued that social media should face regulation when it harms the public good.
Musk said fake news can spread more widely than accurate reporting because it is more sensational.
He described unchecked misinformation as a form of unmonitored public deception.
He compared social media oversight with safety rules for cars, food, and aeroplanes.
- Who
- Elon Musk, a technology entrepreneur and business leader.
- What
- He said social media should be regulated when it negatively affects the public good.
- When
- April 2018.
- Where
- During an interview on CBS This Morning.
- Why
- Because Musk argued that unchecked misinformation and fake news can harm public safety, democracy, and collective well-being.
- Speaker
- Elon Musk
- Interview
- CBS This Morning
- Date
- April 2018
- Main concern
- The unchecked spread of misinformation and fake news
- Proposed standard
- Regulation when social media negatively affects the public good
- Comparison
- Social media oversight compared with safety rules for cars, food, and aeroplanes
- Other companies associated with Musk
- Tesla, SpaceX, Neuralink, The Boring Company, and xAI