The European Union is preparing to impose “serious sanctions” on X, the social media platform previously known as Twitter and owned by Elon Musk, for breaching laws designed to curb misinformation and illegal content.
The sanctions, which could include a significant financial penalty, are being discussed by European regulators, according to The New York Times, citing multiple sources.
These potential sanctions may worsen the already tense relationship between the EU and the United States, as they target Musk’s platform, which is closely associated with former President Donald Trump. The fine is expected to be finalized and announced by summer 2025.
In addition to the fine, EU regulators are expected to mandate “changes to its product,” although specific details about these changes have not been disclosed.
Sources suggest that EU authorities are still determining the precise amount of the fine, with some indicating it could exceed one billion dollars. This hefty penalty is seen as a deterrent for other companies that may consider breaching the law.
There remains a possibility for X to negotiate with the EU, provided the platform agrees to implement changes to its policies.
The investigation into X began in 2023, and in the summer of 2024, the European Commission determined that the platform had violated multiple aspects of the EU’s Digital Services Act (DSA). Among the concerns raised, the EC criticized X for its mishandling of “verified accounts,” specifically the “blue checkmark” system, which is easily accessible to anyone, leading to confusion about account authenticity and the trustworthiness of content. The European Commission also highlighted X’s failure to meet transparency requirements for ads and its lack of access for researchers to publicly available data.
