Reference News Network, December 7 report: According to AFP, on December 5, the European Union imposed a fine of 120 million euros on Elon Musk's social media platform X. This move, as expected, triggered a strong reaction from the Trump team in the United States, with the US accusing the EU of "censorship."

This is the first fine issued by the EU under the Digital Services Act. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio angrily criticized on the social media platform X: "This is an attack by a foreign government on all American tech platforms and the American people."

Hanna Wilkunen, the European Commission's vice president for digital affairs, had just repeatedly emphasized that "this has nothing to do with censorship" and is merely strictly enforcing European regulations.

The law came into effect two years ago, aiming to combat illegal and dangerous online content and impose stricter obligations on large platforms operating in the EU.

The penalty announced on the 5th concerned three violations reported by the EU to X in July 2024: using the "blue checkmark," which should be used for verified sources, to mislead users, insufficient advertising transparency, and refusing to provide internal data to certified researchers.

The blue checkmark was initially granted by the old Twitter after users completed identity verification to help identify fake accounts. However, after Musk acquired the platform, he changed the blue checkmark to a paid subscription exclusive. Brussels believes this move may mislead users.

The EU has expanded its investigation into X, including its alleged failure to fulfill obligations to combat illegal content and misinformation, and the related investigation is still ongoing.

According to Reuters, on December 5, Europe is pushing against large tech companies, imposing fines on Google, a subsidiary of Alphabet, and Musk's X company, while launching new investigations. This move ignores the threat from US President Trump and upholds European sovereignty.

Approximately three months after issuing an unexpected fine of 2.95 billion euros against Google, the European Commission on the 5th again imposed a fine of 120 million euros on Musk's X company for violating EU network content-related regulations.

The US government has already retaliated, linking the reduction of US steel import tariffs to weakening EU digital regulations, and ordering US diplomats to conduct intensive lobbying against these regulations.

The focus of the issue is the Digital Markets Act, aimed at curbing the power of companies such as Amazon, Apple, Google, Meta Platforms, Microsoft, and Booking, and the Digital Services Act, which requires large online platforms to take more measures to deal with illegal and harmful content.

EU competition chief Teresa Ribera directly opposed the US criticism.

At an event, Ribera said: "We have the responsibility to remind others that the EU should be respected. I won't comment on how the US regulates medical standards in its own market. But my responsibility is to ensure the good operation of the European digital market, which has nothing to do with any form of coalition talks."

At another event, she refuted those who view competition law as a tool to control the market or gain narrow economic interests.

Ribera said: "Competition laws are an important pillar of an open, fair, and sustainable market. It should never become a bargaining chip in trade negotiations or a tool for protectionism."

Daniel Manderescu, a lawyer at Geraldine Partners Law Firm and associate professor of law at Leiden University, said that the US threats would initially cause shock, but their effect may gradually weaken.

He posted on LinkedIn: "The statement by the European Commission regarding the formal investigation of the Meta company shows that the threat of political pressure is quickly losing its effectiveness, and the rule of law is not something that can be bargained."

Professor Ruprecht Bodenstein, director of the Institute for Competition Law at Dusseldorf University, said that although supporters of European values are currently in the lead, the real test is still ahead.

Original source: toutiao.com/article/7581038361201099318/

Statement: The article represents the views of the author himself.