Elon Musk attacks the European Union after X platform is fined
In a striking new escalation of the conflict between tech giants and European regulators, American billionaire Elon Musk a scathing attack on the European Union, explicitly calling for the bloc's complete "abolition." This vehement response came on Saturday following the European Commission's decision to impose a hefty fine on his platform, X (formerly Twitter), a move Musk deemed an infringement on national sovereignty and a stifling of freedoms.
Details of the fine and its reasons
The European Union has fined the X platform €120 million (approximately $126 million) following an extensive investigation that found the platform violated the Digital Services Act (DSA) . This is the first fine of its kind imposed by the Commission under this strict new law, which aims to regulate the digital space and combat harmful content.
The European Commission's accusations centered on the "deceptive design" of the blue verification badge. After Musk's acquisition of the platform, the blue badge transformed from a tool for verifying the identity of public figures and trusted individuals into a paid service available to anyone. The Commission viewed this as misleading to users and undermining the principle of transparency mandated by European law, in addition to the platform's failure to provide public data to researchers.
Musk: The European Union is a “bureaucratic monster”
Musk's response was swift. Addressing his more than 230 million followers on his platform, he stated, "The EU should be abolished and sovereignty returned to individual countries so that governments can better represent their people." When users reacted to his post, Musk emphasized his seriousness, saying, "I'm serious. I'm not joking," describing the EU as a "bureaucratic monster," while simultaneously affirming his love for Europe as a continent and its people.
Background to the conflict: Digital Services Act (DSA)
To understand the context of this event, one must consider the Digital Services Act , which recently came into full effect. This law is one of the most ambitious pieces of legislation in the world regulating Big Tech companies, imposing strict obligations regarding transparency, the removal of illegal content, and the protection of minors. Brussels views this law as a shield for democracy and user rights, while Musk and proponents of “absolute free speech” see it as a tool for government censorship.
Political and international dimensions
This clash cannot be separated from the broader political landscape, as the administration of US President Donald Trump was quick to criticize the European fine, reflecting a divergence of views between Washington and Brussels on how to deal with Silicon Valley. Trump had previously tasked Musk with reducing government bureaucracy in the United States, making Musk's attack on the EU's "bureaucracy" consistent with his current political and economic agenda.
Observers believe this confrontation may be just the beginning of a series of legal battles between the European Union and other social media platforms, as the fine imposed on “X” represents a strong warning message to other companies such as “Meta” and “Google” that they must comply with strict European standards, otherwise the financial penalties will be exorbitant.
