Rubio criticizes EU for imposing €120 million fine on social media platform X

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio voiced strong opposition on Friday to a 120 million ($140 million) fine issued by the European Union against social media platform X for violating transparency regulations. "This fine is not only an attack on X, but a challenge to all American tech companies and citizens by foreign authorities," Rubio stated on the platform owned by Elon Musk. He added, "The era of censoring Americans online is coming to an end."

The European Commission claims X misrepresented verified user accounts with blue ticks, withheld critical data from researchers, and failed to clearly document advertisements on the platform. The commission emphasized that the fine reflects the severity of the violations. "Misleading users with verification ticks, hiding information about ads, and restricting researcher access have no place on EU platforms," commented European Commission Vice President Henna Virkkunen.

X may contest the ruling, potentially escalating the case to the European Court of Justice (ECJ). The fine stems from violations under the EU's Digital Services Act (DSA) and could further strain US-EU relations. US Vice President JD Vance criticized the decision, claiming that "the EU should promote free speech rather than penalize American companies over trivial issues." Former President Donald Trump has also labeled European digital regulations as anti-competitive.

Changes to User Verification

Prior to Musks acquisition, X verified public figures, politicians, and celebrities with a blue checkmark following an internal review, a practice common across social media platforms. After Musk took over in 2022, all paying subscribers became eligible for the blue tick. This led to a surge of fake accounts impersonating public figures and organizations.

The platform now requires a valid username, profile picture, and absence of fraudulent behavior to receive a verification tick. Additional colored ticks were introduced: gold for companies and silver for government or public institutions. X could face further penalties if investigations find it failing to address illegal content or disinformation.

First Penalty Under EU Digital Services Act

This fine represents the EUs first enforcement under the DSA, which came into effect in 2024. The law aims to curb risky practices by major tech companies, demanding stricter compliance regarding user complaints, rapid removal of illegal content, and enhanced protection for minors. Companies violating these rules can be fined up to 6% of global annual revenue, with daily fines possible until issues are resolved. Critics argue that enforcement has been inconsistent.

Meanwhile, the European Commission has asked the online retailer Shein for information regarding the sale of sex dolls with child-like features, following calls from France for stricter action.

TikTok Investigation Concluded

On the same day, the EU announced that proceedings against TikTok were closed. The platform had faced scrutiny for non-transparent advertising practices. The DSA requires platforms to maintain accessible archives of all advertisements, which are critical for research and detecting fraud, illegal products, or disinformation campaigns. TikTok has committed to addressing these transparency issues. Other ongoing investigations into the platforms potential impact on minors and democratic processes remain open.

Author: Logan Reeves