European Union regulators are reportedly preparing to hit Elon Musk’s social media platform, X, with a massive $1 billion fine, factoring in revenue from his other companies such as Tesla and SpaceX, according to The New York Times.
The potential fine stems from alleged violations of the Digital Services Act (DSA), with EU authorities planning to calculate penalties based on Musk’s broader business empire, the newspaper reported on April 3, citing sources familiar with the matter.
The DSA, which came into effect in October 2022, was designed to regulate online platforms and prevent the spread of harmful and unlawful content. Under its provisions, companies that breach the law can be fined up to 6% of their global revenue.
A spokesperson for the European Commission declined to comment directly on the case but told the Times that the EU remains committed to enforcing regulations fairly across all companies operating within its jurisdiction.
In response, X’s Global Government Affairs team criticized the reported move, calling it “an unprecedented act of political censorship and an attack on free speech.” They also stated that X has made significant efforts to comply with the DSA and will use all available legal avenues to defend itself, ensure user safety, and protect free expression in Europe.
Beyond the financial penalty, regulators may also require changes to X’s platform, with further details on potential enforcement measures expected in the coming months. However, a resolution could still be reached if the company agrees to modifications that align with EU requirements, according to the Times.
Ongoing EU Investigation Since 2023
The EU’s scrutiny of X isn’t new—the investigation began in 2023, with an initial ruling in July 2024 concluding that the platform had violated the DSA. Findings pointed to X’s refusal to provide data to independent researchers, lack of transparency regarding advertisers, and failure to properly verify accounts with a verification badge.
X disputed the ruling with hundreds of counterarguments. Musk also alleged that EU regulators had offered a deal—implying that if X secretly suppressed certain content, it could avoid penalties. However, Thierry Breton, the former EU commissioner for internal market, refuted this in a July 12, 2024, post on X, stating that there was no secret agreement and that discussions followed standard regulatory procedures.
Musk responded by saying he welcomed a “very public battle in court” to reveal the full truth to the people of Europe.
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