Elon Musk criticised the European Union following a $140 million penalty on his social media platform X, claiming the bloc undermines national sovereignty and advocating that individual countries regain full control over regulations and digital governance.
Elon Musk launched a sharp attack on the European Union (EU), saying the bloc “should be abolished” after his platform X (formerly Twitter) was fined $140 million for allegedly breaching EU content and transparency rules. The fine, imposed under the EU’s Digital Services Act (DSA), came just a day prior and marks another escalation in tensions between X and European regulators.
Penalty details and regulatory concerns
The European Commission stated that X violated three transparency requirements under the DSA. The platform’s blue checkmarks were cited as “deceptive design” elements that could expose users to scams and manipulation. Additionally, X failed to meet obligations regarding its advertising database and providing researchers access to public data. Regulators had previously issued a formal warning last year, citing X’s inadequate measures to address harmful content.
In response, Musk argued that regulatory power should return to individual nations, enabling governments to better represent their citizens. On X, he tweeted, “The EU should be abolished and sovereignty returned to individual countries, so that governments can better represent their people,” followed by a provocative message: “how long before the EU is gone? AbolishTheEU.”
Digital Services Act: Scope and impact
The Digital Services Act, enforced in August 2023, is designed to increase accountability among online platforms operating in Europe. It requires companies to proactively remove illegal or harmful content, ensure transparency in algorithmic processes, and protect user safety. Non-compliance allows regulators to impose substantial fines, highlighting the high stakes for global tech companies.
This year, the EU has also penalised major technology firms such as Apple and Meta under similar regulations, collectively imposing fines amounting to $797 million to ensure adherence to the Digital Markets Act, reinforcing the bloc’s determination to regulate big tech.
Rising tensions in global tech regulation
Musk’s comments come amid broader disputes between X and European authorities over digital governance, user safety, and corporate accountability. The incident underscores the challenges faced by global platforms operating across jurisdictions with differing legal frameworks, raising questions about the balance between national sovereignty and supranational regulation.
