EU Slaps €120 Million Fine on X Over Breaching Digital Rules
In a significant move to enforce its digital regulations, the European Union (EU) has imposed a hefty fine of €120 million on X, a social media platform owned by Elon Musk, for breaching rules under the Digital Services Act. The fine was announced by EU Vice President Henna Virkkunen, who emphasized the importance of complying with the regulations in place to protect users and promote transparency.
According to Virkkunen, the breaches concern three main areas: the deceptive design of the blue checkmark, lack of transparency in the ads repository, and failure to provide access to public data for researchers. These infractions are seen as serious violations of the Digital Services Act, which aims to create a safer and more transparent online environment for EU citizens.
The blue checkmark, which is used to verify the authenticity of accounts, has been a subject of controversy in recent months. The EU has accused X of using deceptive design practices to mislead users into paying for the verification badge, rather than making it a free service for all users. This practice is seen as unfair and misleading, and the EU has taken a strong stance against it.
Another area of concern is the lack of transparency in X’s ads repository. The Digital Services Act requires social media platforms to provide detailed information about the ads they display, including the identity of the advertiser, the target audience, and the budget spent on the ad campaign. X has failed to provide this information, making it difficult for users to understand who is behind the ads they see and what data is being used to target them.
Finally, the EU has criticized X for failing to provide access to public data for researchers. The Digital Services Act requires social media platforms to make their data available to researchers, who can use it to study the impact of social media on society and identify potential risks and threats. X has refused to provide this access, citing concerns about user privacy and data protection.
Virkkunen emphasized that the fine is not intended to punish X, but rather to encourage the company to comply with the regulations in place. “If you comply with the rules, you don’t get fined,” she said. “It’s as simple as that.” The EU Vice President also noted that the fine is a significant amount, but it is proportionate to the severity of the breaches.
The fine is a major blow to X, which has been struggling to comply with the EU’s digital regulations. The company has faced criticism from regulators and lawmakers over its handling of user data, online safety, and transparency. The fine is likely to add to the pressure on X to reform its practices and comply with the regulations in place.
The EU’s decision to fine X is seen as a significant step towards enforcing its digital regulations and protecting the rights of EU citizens. The Digital Services Act is a landmark piece of legislation that aims to create a safer and more transparent online environment, and the EU is determined to ensure that social media platforms comply with its provisions.
In conclusion, the EU’s fine on X is a clear message to social media platforms that they must comply with the regulations in place to protect users and promote transparency. The fine is a significant amount, but it is proportionate to the severity of the breaches. X must now take steps to address the concerns raised by the EU and ensure that it complies with the Digital Services Act. The EU will continue to monitor the situation and take further action if necessary to protect the rights of EU citizens.
News source: https://amp.dw.com/en/eu-imposes-120-million-fine-on-elon-musks-x-for-breaking-digital-rules/a-75033724
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