EU Fines X €120 Million; US Accuses Brussels of “Attacking the American People”
The European Union has imposed a €120 million fine (around $140 million) on social media platform X
prativad 
Brussels / Washington
The European Union has imposed a €120 million fine (around $140 million) on social media platform X for violating the Digital Services Act (DSA). The decision immediately sparked a political storm, with the United States accusing the EU of launching an “attack on the American people.”
The European Commission said this is the first-ever formal non-compliance ruling issued under the DSA. The move comes as the EU intensifies its enforcement actions against major American tech companies.
EU’s Allegations: From Blue Check Abuse to Data Access Violations
According to the Commission, X breached multiple rules, including:
-
A misleading blue-check verification system that exposes users to scams
-
Lack of transparency in its advertising library
-
Failure to provide researchers with required access to public data
These violations collectively triggered the heavy penalty.
US Hits Back: “This Isn’t Just About X”
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio condemned the fine, writing on X that it represents an attack “not just on a platform, but on all American tech platforms and the American people.”
He added, “The days of censoring Americans online are over.”
X owner Elon Musk reposted comments from US telecom regulator Brendan Carr, who argued that the EU was targeting X simply because it’s a successful American company, accusing Europe of “taxing Americans to subsidize its over-regulated continent.”
US Vice President JD Vance also weighed in, saying the EU was punishing X for “refusing to participate in censorship,” and added that Europe should “support free speech instead of attacking American companies over nonsense.”
Long-Running Tensions Over Digital Laws
This clash is part of a deeper rift between Washington and Brussels:
-
The US has long opposed the EU’s digital laws, calling digital taxes and platform regulations measures designed to hurt American technology.
-
The EU insists its rules apply equally to all companies operating in the bloc and reflect its strong stance on privacy, competition and online safety.
Trade disputes, industrial subsidies and environmental standards have further strained relations between the two sides. US officials frequently accuse the EU of protectionism, while European leaders criticize Washington’s unilateral tariff and tech-control decisions.
