Some of the world’s largest football leagues, including the Premier League, LaLiga, Bundesliga, and Serie A, have expressed serious concerns about Elon Musk’s platform, X, formerly known as Twitter. In a letter obtained by the Associated Press, these leagues, alongside soccer governing bodies like UEFA and CONMEBOL, are demanding that X take stronger action against the illegal distribution of copyrighted content.
They argue that since Musk’s acquisition of the platform in October 2022, there has been a significant increase in the sharing of pirated content, including full-length films and live sports events.
The letter highlights how the problem of pirated content has worsened under Musk’s leadership. Soon after Musk’s takeover, users began to exploit X’s platform for unauthorized distribution, facilitated by new features such as longer video uploads. The letter accuses X of failing to manage this issue effectively, with technical support and content moderation resources notably reduced, which has compounded the difficulty in addressing these violations.
The football leagues are not alone in their complaints; major networks and platforms that have distribution rights for sports and entertainment content, such as DIRECTV, Sky, and DAZN, have also signed the letter.
They criticize X for its “persistent failings” in moderating unlawful content, claiming that the platform’s approach to removing illegal live streams has been grossly inadequate. This issue is particularly pressing given that X’s recent reduction in content moderation staff has led to decreased support for these concerns.
The letter underscores that X’s shortcomings in combating piracy have led to a growing belief among pirates that they can operate with impunity on the platform. Instances of illegal live streams during major events like the 2024 Copa América and Euros were observed by Mashable, with many such streams remaining on X for extended periods before being taken down. The platform’s response to these illegal activities has been criticized for being ineffective and slow.
The relationship between X and sports leagues could be at risk if these issues persist. Despite a decline in users from various online communities, sports fans remain a significant and active user base on X. However, the platform’s handling of pirated content and its broader response to these concerns may influence how sports leagues and broadcasters engage with X moving forward. The leagues have called for an urgent meeting with X’s representatives to resolve these issues and address their grievances.
