X vs EU: Why the Platform Blocked the Commission After the €120M Fine
X and the European Commission are locked in a heated standoff that has quickly become one of the most searched tech stories of the week. Many users want to know why X blocked the EC’s advertising account, how the €120 million Digital Services Act fine triggered the dispute, and what could happen next under EU platform regulations. Within hours of the fine becoming public, tensions escalated online, with X executives firing back at EU regulators and accusing the Commission of breaking platform rules. The clash underscores rising friction between social media companies and European regulators over transparency, advertising standards, and platform accountability.
EU Hits X With €120M DSA Fine Over Paid Verification
The conflict began when the European Commission issued its first-ever major penalty under the EU’s Digital Services Act. Regulators fined X €120 million—about $140 million—for what they described as “deceptive” design practices, specifically targeting the blue checkmark system introduced under Elon Musk’s ownership. According to the Commission, paid verification could mislead users, increase exposure to impersonation attempts, and elevate scam risks. The EC also said that X’s ad transparency repository failed to comply with DSA rules requiring accessible, detailed information about who runs ads and how they are targeted. The Commission formally requested that X address these issues within strict deadlines or face additional enforcement.
Regulators Say X Must Fix Issues Within 60 to 90 Days
As part of the enforcement process, EU officials gave the platform two separate windows to respond. X has 60 days to address concerns surrounding the blue checkmark verification model and 90 days to correct issues with its ad transparency repository. These deadlines reflect the DSA’s goal: to push large platforms to improve safeguards and accountability. The Commission warned that failure to comply could lead to further penalties, ongoing investigations, or even operational restrictions in Europe. The fines and timelines signal the EU’s intention to aggressively enforce the new regulatory framework.
Elon Musk Responds With Strong Criticism of EU Regulation
Shortly after the fine was announced, X owner Elon Musk took to his platform to sharply criticize the European Commission. Calling the penalty “bullshit,” Musk questioned the legitimacy and future of the EU itself. In another post, he wrote, “How long before the EU is gone? #AbolishTheEU,” intensifying the public drama around the dispute. Musk has repeatedly criticized EU digital regulations, arguing that they restrict free expression and impose political pressure on global platforms. His blunt reaction set the tone for X’s more formal response that followed.
X’s Product Head Accuses EC of Exploiting Ad Tools
The conflict escalated when Nikita Bier, X’s Head of Product, publicly accused the European Commission of exploiting a loophole in the platform’s ad system. Quoting the EC’s announcement of the fine, Bier alleged that the Commission logged into a dormant advertising account to use an “exploit” within X’s Ad Composer tool. According to his statement, the EC used this method to post a link that appeared to users as if it were a playable video—effectively increasing its reach and improving visibility in feeds. Bier framed this as a violation of X’s rules and a misuse of tools intended for paid advertisers.
Platform Says EC Broke Rules to Boost Post Visibility
Following the accusation, Bier said that the Commission’s actions amounted to an attempt to manipulate engagement on the platform. The suggestion was that EU officials—while penalizing X for transparency shortcomings—were themselves bypassing the very advertising systems they criticized. Bier emphasized that the platform strives to maintain an equal playing field: “X believes everyone should have an equal voice on our platform. However, it seems you believe that the rules should not apply to your account.” The statement added fuel to the broader debate over whether regulators are overstepping by engaging directly in platform communication strategies.
X Deactivates the European Commission’s Advertising Account
After airing the allegations publicly, X took a noteworthy step: the platform deactivated the European Commission’s advertising account. While this action immediately attracted headlines, X insisted that the suspension was not retaliation for the €120 million fine. Instead, the company framed it as enforcement of internal rules regarding advertising behavior, account activity, and misuse of promotional tools. Because the account allegedly violated terms related to ad composer features, X said deactivation was a routine compliance measure rather than a political gesture.
European Commission Yet to Respond to X’s Claims
As of now, the European Commission has not issued a detailed response to Bier’s accusations or the sudden deactivation of its advertising account. Officials have stood by their Digital Services Act ruling and continue to assert that X failed to meet legal transparency obligations. However, no direct statement has confirmed or denied the platform’s claims about exploiting the ad composer tool. The silence leaves the situation in a tense holding pattern, with both sides seemingly preparing for the next public move.
What This Means for Digital Services Act Enforcement
The confrontation between X and the EC highlights larger questions about how the Digital Services Act will be enforced against global platforms. The DSA was designed to increase transparency, reduce harmful content, and ensure accountability from “very large online platforms” operating in Europe. The X dispute shows the challenges regulators face when applying these standards to companies that define themselves around free speech principles and minimal moderation. The outcome could set precedents affecting verification systems, advertising policies, and platform design decisions across the tech industry.
X and EU Power Struggle Reflects Growing Platform Tensions
This high-profile clash reflects a deeper struggle over who controls platform rules: elected regulators or private tech executives. Musk’s aggressive public stance, combined with X’s decision to deactivate the EC’s ad account, suggests that companies may push back harder against regulatory pressure than in previous years. Meanwhile, European officials are unlikely to soften their enforcement approach after investing heavily in the DSA framework. As these tensions escalate, users may see more confrontations between regulators and major platforms over issues like transparency, moderation, and political influence.
What Users Should Expect Next in the X vs EU Dispute
In the weeks ahead, both sides must respond formally. X must outline how it plans to revise its verification system and improve ad transparency. The European Commission must decide whether it will escalate enforcement or address the platform’s allegations. If X fails to meet regulatory deadlines, additional penalties or investigations could follow. And if the platform continues to push back, the standoff could become a defining test of the Digital Services Act’s strength. For now, one thing is clear: the X vs EU dispute is far from over, and the outcome could influence the future of platform governance across the world.
