The European Union is fining the social media company X $140 million for violating its Digital Services Act. <\/p>\n
In a press release<\/a> Thursday, the EU outlined what it considers X\u2019s violations. They included: <\/p>\n The Digital Services Act passed in 2022 with the goal of \u201ccombatting hate speech and misinformation online,\u201d per the University of Chicago Law School<\/a>. X was one of the first major cases the DSA announced it would investigate, and commissioners began looking into the company in 2023, shortly after the act was passed. <\/p>\n The European Union faults X\u2019s blue checkmark model, arguing it makes it difficult to assess the authenticity of accounts and the content they interact with. X allows users to pay for \u201cverified\u201d status. <\/p>\n As for transparency and public data access, the EU believes X\u2019s ad repository makes it more difficult than their regulation requires to detect scams, fake advertisements and hybrid threat campaigns. They also alleged that X had not created a public database to inform users on how manipulation occurs on social networking sites. <\/p>\n The EU gave X 60 days to change its blue checkmarks and 90 days to submit an action plan to change its advertising repository and researcher data access. If X does not comply, the EU will file \u201cperiodic penalty payments\u201d to the U.S.-based company. <\/p>\n Elon Musk, the owner and CEO of X, responded to the fine on Friday afternoon. \u201cThe \u2018EU\u2019 imposed this crazy fine not just on @X, but also on me personally, which is even more insane!\u201d he wrote. \u201cTherefore, it would seem appropriate to apply our response not just to the EU, but also to the individuals who took this action against me.\u201d <\/p>\n Musk has also re-posted several statements criticizing the EU\u2019s move, including one from Italy\u2019s deputy prime minister, Matteo Salvini. <\/p>\n Salvini called<\/a> the fine \u201can attack on freedom of expression\u201d and a \u201cweapon of censorship.\u201d <\/p>\n U.S. politicians respond to the fine<\/p>\n Ahead of the EU\u2019s official announcement, Vice President JD Vance posted<\/a> on X, \u201cRumors swirling that the EU commission will fine X hundreds of millions of dollars for not engaging in censorship. The EU should be supporting free speech not attacking American companies over garbage.\u201d<\/p>\n Rumors swirling that the EU commission will fine X hundreds of millions of dollars for not engaging in censorship. The EU should be supporting free speech not attacking American companies over garbage.<\/p>\n \u2014 JD Vance (@JDVance) December 4, 2025<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n Then Secretary of State Marco Rubio posted on X<\/a>, \u201cThe European Commission\u2019s $140 million fine isn\u2019t just an attack on @X, it\u2019s an attack on all American tech platforms and the American people by foreign governments. The days of censoring Americans online are over.\u201d <\/p>\n The European Commission\u2019s $140 million fine isn\u2019t just an attack on @X<\/a>, it\u2019s an attack on all American tech platforms and the American\u00a0people by foreign governments.<\/p>\n The days of censoring Americans online are over.<\/p>\n \u2014 Secretary Marco Rubio (@SecRubio) December 5, 2025<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n Musk also reposted Utah Sen. Mike Lee\u2019s X post<\/a>. \u201cWhy is Europe trying to censor X?\u201d he wrote.<\/p>\n Lee continued, \u201cMillions of Europeans are finally getting red-pilled by reading actual, unbiased news on X\u2014instead of state-approved, legacy-media propagandaSo naturally, the European Commission is trying to kill X\u2014because \u2018the truth is dangerous.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n Why is Europe trying to censor X?<\/p>\n Millions of Europeans are finally getting red-pilled by reading actual, unbiased news on X\u2014instead of state-approved, legacy-media propaganda<\/p>\n So naturally, the European Commission is trying to kill X\u2014because \u201cthe truth is dangerous\u201d https:\/\/t.co\/w9U5jzbrQV<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Mike Lee (@BasedMikeLee) December 5, 2025<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n Some in the U.S. have been asking the EU to clamp down on X for quite some time. <\/p>\n For example, in 2022, Hillary Clinton called on the EU to use the Digital Services Act in an X post<\/a>. \u201cFor too long, tech platforms have amplified disinformation and extremism with no accountability. The EU is poised to do something about it. I urge our transatlantic allies to push the Digital Services Act across the finish line and bolster global democracy before it\u2019s too late,\u201d she said. <\/p>\n For too long, tech platforms have amplified disinformation and extremism with no accountability. The EU is poised to do something about it.<\/p>\n I urge our transatlantic allies to push the Digital Services Act across the finish line and bolster global democracy before it’s too late.<\/p>\n \u2014 Hillary Clinton (@HillaryClinton) April 21, 2022<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n Just a week after Clinton\u2019s X post, the New Yorker described<\/a> the EU\u2019s Digital Services Act as an appropriate \u201croad map\u201d for \u201cputting the onus on social-media companies to monitor and remove harmful content, and hit them with big fines if they don\u2019t.\u201d <\/p>\n\n
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