The European Union fined Elon Musk’s platform X 120 million euros on Friday for breaking its digital transparency rules. The ruling triggered a sharp backlash from Washington, which accused Brussels of targeting American companies.
US Vice President JD Vance warned the EU against “attacking” US tech through “censorship.” Hours later, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio echoed the criticism. He said the penalty was an attack on American platforms and the American people. He declared that “the days of censoring Americans online are over.”
The European Commission said X violated the Digital Services Act by using a misleading “blue checkmark” system and blocking researchers from accessing public data. EU tech commissioner Henna Virkkunen insisted the decision focused on transparency, not censorship.
The probe began in late 2023. EU officials found that X allowed anyone to buy a verification badge without confirming identity, which increased scams and impersonation risks. The platform also failed to meet advertising transparency standards.
X still faces investigations into illegal content and information manipulation. Brussels issued a relatively moderate fine but stressed that the rules apply to all global firms.
European leaders welcomed the move. France and Germany said the decision proved the EU can enforce its digital laws.
