Elon Musk Urges Abolishment of EU Following $140 Million Fine Against X: What It Means for the Future

Elon Musk has stirred the pot by calling for the European Union (EU) to be abolished. This comes after the EU slapped his social media platform, X, with a hefty fine of 120 million euros (about $140 million) for misleading users about its blue checkmark and failing to maintain transparency in its advertising practices.

The fine was announced on Friday, following a two-year investigation into X under the Digital Services Act (DSA), which aims to regulate online platforms. Musk didn’t hold back in his response, labeling the EU’s actions as “bulls—” in a post on X.

The next day, he intensified his criticism, saying, “The EU should be abolished and sovereignty returned to individual countries, so that governments can better represent their people.” Musk’s remarks resonate with some in the U.S. government. Secretary of State Marco Rubio referred to the fine as an “attack on all American tech platforms,” while U.S. Ambassador to the EU, Andrew Puzder, described it as excessive and indicative of regulatory overreach.

The EU’s concerns revolved around X’s “deceptive design” of its blue checkmark, lack of transparency in advertising, and not providing access to public data for research. Henna Virkkunen, a tech executive in the EU, argued that it was essential to hold X accountable for undermining users’ rights.

According to the DSA, X must address these issues promptly. The platform has 60 days to explain how it will handle the misleading blue checkmarks and 90 days to enhance transparency in advertising and provide public data access. If it fails to comply, the Commission could impose periodic penalties.

This situation highlights a growing tension between U.S. tech companies and European regulations. A recent survey by the Pew Research Center found that over 70% of Americans are concerned about online misinformation, suggesting a need for clearer regulations, and a balance between innovation and user safety.

As this saga unfolds, it remains to be seen how X will respond to the EU’s demands and whether Musk’s call for the dissolution of the EU will gain traction.

For more insights on the impact of the Digital Services Act, you can visit the official EU Commission page here.

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