The Commission reported that the violations include the misleading design of the “blue check mark,” a lack of transparency in the advertising register, and restricted access to public data for researchers.
This marks the first instance of the Commission issuing a fine under the Digital Services Act (DSA), which has been in effect since 2023. The law mandates that major online platforms take measures to safeguard users from illegal content, misinformation, and abuse.
The law has drawn criticism from the U.S. government. Prior to the fine’s announcement, Vice President JD Vance expressed his discontent on X, stating, “The European Union should support freedom of speech instead of attacking American companies over nonsense.”
The Commission clarified that the decision is not related to “content moderation” but focuses solely on transparency. A spokesperson for President Ursula von der Leyen stated, “We agree to disagree with the perspective some in the United States have on our legislation. This is not about censorship.”
Belgian Minister for Digitalisation, Vanessa Matz, praised the ruling as “a significant step toward protecting European users from misleading practices and illegal online content.” Matz urged the Commission to pursue ongoing investigations, emphasizing that the deterrent effect of sanctions is crucial for combating abuse and safeguarding citizens.
(Brussels, 5 December 2025)
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