EU: 120 million euro fine for Platform X

DW

Despite threats from US President Donald Trump, the EU Commission imposed a fine of several million euros on American billionaire Elon Musk's online service X.

The European Commission has fined Elon Musk's online service 120 million euros for a lack of transparency in advertising and user accounts. "Our job is to ensure that our digital legislation is enforced," said EU Commissioner for Digital Affairs Henna Virkkunen in Brussels. This is the first fine imposed by the Commission under the EU's Digital Services Act (DSA).

Fake paid user accounts, unclear ads

Brussels authorities launched an investigation into X in December 2023. Among other things, Brussels accuses the X platform of using the white and blue logo for paid user accounts to falsely suggest that these accounts are authentic and verified. The EU Commission also criticizes the fact that it is not always clear who is behind the ads. The investigation also found that X did not give researchers access to public data in accordance with DSA regulations.

The EU is conducting further investigations into Musk's online service X. These investigations focus, among other things, on how X combats the distribution of illegal content and the manipulation of information.

Donald Trump threatens further tariffs

The indictment against X could anger US President Donald Trump, whose administration has repeatedly criticized the EU's digital laws. Trump has threatened to impose new tariffs on imports from countries whose laws, he says, are intended to "undermine" American technology. Despite these threats, the EU has repeatedly said it intends to enforce its own rules.

US Vice President JD Vance accused the EU in a post on the X platform of attacking “American companies for meaningless things.” He said the EU should protect freedom of speech and not attack American companies for meaningless things.

Reaction from Germany

German Digital Affairs Minister Karsten Wildberger (CDU) welcomed the Commission's decision. European digital legislation applies "to everyone, no matter where they come from," he said. It is based on "European values, and these, of course, must be implemented and protected."

At the same time, the CDU politician said that he considers the fine imposed on X to be too high.

Wildberger also called for a greater focus on developing digital solutions in Europe. Digital sovereignty does not just mean regulation, but also “being able to keep up with the pace in the field of technology,” the minister argued, referring to the European technology industry.