EU Slaps €120 Million Fine on X over Breaching Digital Rules
In a significant move to regulate the digital landscape, the European Union has imposed a substantial fine of €120 million on Elon Musk’s X for breaching rules under the Digital Services Act. This decision marks a crucial step in ensuring that tech giants comply with the EU’s stringent digital regulations. According to EU Vice President Henna Virkkunen, the breaches concern the deceptive design of the blue checkmark, lack of transparency in the ads repository, and failure to provide access to public data for researchers.
The Digital Services Act, which came into effect in 2022, aims to create a safer and more transparent online environment for users. The regulation sets out a range of obligations for digital services, including social media platforms, online marketplaces, and search engines. The Act requires these services to take measures to prevent the spread of misinformation, protect users’ rights, and ensure transparency in their advertising practices. The EU’s decision to fine X demonstrates its commitment to enforcing these regulations and holding tech companies accountable for their actions.
The deceptive design of the blue checkmark is one of the key areas where X has been found to be in breach of the Digital Services Act. The blue checkmark, which is intended to verify the authenticity of a user’s identity, has been criticized for being misleading and confusing. X has been accused of using the checkmark to create a false sense of credibility and to promote certain users over others. This practice has been deemed unfair and deceptive, and the EU has taken a strong stance against it.
Another area where X has fallen short is in its lack of transparency in the ads repository. The Digital Services Act requires digital services to provide clear and concise information about their advertising practices, including the data they collect and how they use it. X has been found to be lacking in this regard, failing to provide adequate transparency about its ads repository and the data it collects from users. This lack of transparency has been criticized for being unfair to users, who have a right to know how their data is being used.
Finally, X has been found to have failed to provide access to public data for researchers. The Digital Services Act requires digital services to provide access to their data for research purposes, in order to facilitate the study of online phenomena and the development of new technologies. X has been accused of failing to comply with this requirement, limiting the ability of researchers to study its platform and understand its impact on society.
According to EU Vice President Henna Virkkunen, the fine imposed on X is a clear message to tech companies that they must comply with the EU’s digital regulations. “If you comply with rules, you don’t get fined. It’s as simple as that,” she said. This statement reflects the EU’s commitment to creating a fair and transparent online environment, where users’ rights are protected and tech companies are held accountable for their actions.
The fine imposed on X is significant, and it is likely to have a major impact on the company’s operations. X will be required to pay the fine and to take corrective action to address the breaches that have been identified. This may involve making changes to its platform, including the design of the blue checkmark and the transparency of its ads repository. X will also be required to provide access to public data for researchers, in order to facilitate the study of its platform and its impact on society.
In conclusion, the EU’s decision to fine X €120 million for breaching digital rules is a significant move in the regulation of the digital landscape. The fine reflects the EU’s commitment to creating a safer and more transparent online environment, where users’ rights are protected and tech companies are held accountable for their actions. As the digital landscape continues to evolve, it is likely that we will see further regulation and enforcement of digital rules, in order to ensure that tech companies comply with the law and respect the rights of users.
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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