Catenaa, Sunday, December 14, 2025-The European Commission fined US social media platform X €120 million for breaching provisions of the Digital Services Act (DSA), marking the first non-compliance decision under the bloc’s landmark legislation.
The EC cited X for allegedly allowing users to purchase “verified” status without meaningful identity verification, obscuring transparency in its advertising repository, and blocking researchers’ access to public data.
The regulator said these practices undermine user trust and accountability online. Henna Virkkunen, EC executive vice president for tech sovereignty, said the ruling restores user rights and ensures researchers can investigate potential threats.
X, owned by Elon Musk, has disputed the ruling. Musk initially dismissed the fine on X and criticized the EU’s authority over US companies.
Nikita Bier, X’s head of product, accused the EC of manipulating the platform to amplify the announcement of the fine, an account that was subsequently closed.
The case is expected to intensify tensions between the EU and the US, as the DSA targets large American digital platforms and imposes obligations around transparency, content moderation, and accountability. Analysts expect X may resist compliance or payment, prompting further enforcement actions from the European Commission.
The dispute highlights broader geopolitical and commercial friction over digital regulation, as U.S. tech companies navigate compliance with foreign laws while maintaining global business operations.
