Brussels (ANSA) – Following nearly two years of scrutiny and challenges, the EU has imposed a €120 million fine on X for breaching the Digital Services Act (DSA). This marks the first penalties under this pivotal European regulation aimed at curbing the chaotic online environment by mandating tech platforms to ensure greater transparency and accountability regarding illegal and harmful content online.
While viewed as more of a tap than a severe blow to Elon Musk’s company, the fine is set to escalate tensions with Washington. Tensions flared even before the announcement, with U.S. Vice President JD. Vance condemning Brussels for attempting to fine X for “not imposing censorship.” Later, Secretary of State Marco Rubio criticized the sanctions, deeming them “an attack on all American tech platforms and the American people by foreign governments,” asserting that “the days of online censorship of Americans are over.”
In response, the EU’s Commissioner Henna Virkkunen clarified that the fine relates to transparency, not censorship. She rebuffed claims of targeting U.S. tech companies, emphasizing that “our rules apply to everyone operating in Europe,” and pledged “new decisions in the coming months.”
Regarding the specifics, the European Commission has levied three fines against Musk’s social network for distinct violations. The first, €45 million, pertains to the blue checkmark for verified accounts, which Brussels argues is misleading since anyone can pay for it without proper verification. The second fine of €35 million is related to inadequate transparency in the advertising archive, crucial for identifying scams and hybrid threat campaigns.
Lastly, a third fine of €40 million addresses the failure to provide researchers access to the platform’s public data. The investigation into the more politically sensitive issue of illegal content and information manipulation is still ongoing, with developments expected on December 5.
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