As the European Union’s protectionist racket intensifies, X must firmly resist EU Commissioner for Competition Margrethe Vestager’s spurious claims that it has breached the Digital Services Act. With at least 50 million X users in Europe, including prominent businesses, media outlets, personalities, and politicians, the platform wields significant leverage.
If X were to defy the EU’s extortion demands, refusing to comply with any fines or penalties, it would likely force a confrontation with the bloc. The prospect of the Biden or Trump administrations retaliating with tariffs on European exports to the United States should be enough to make the EU reconsider its aggressive stance.
The EU’s concerns about X’s practices are laughable. The commissioner’s primary grievance centers around X’s decision to offer users the option to purchase blue checkmarks, claiming this undermines users’ ability to make informed decisions. This exemplifies the EU’s overprotective attitude, prioritizing revenue-lowering measures over user autonomy and personal responsibility.
Additionally, the EU criticizes X’s advertising transparency and public data sharing as being too restrictive. Vestager has warned that if X does not conform, the EU will impose heavy fines and demand significant changes. This draconian approach stems from the EU’s insecurity and arrogance, fueled by a perceived need to exert control over an American company’s business model.
Elon Musk’s claims of an EU proposal that X silently censor speech without notifying anyone further fuels the perception of EU meddling. Whether or not Musk’s statement is accurate, it is undeniable that EU laws and opinions fundamentally clash with the First Amendment tradition. The EU’s affinity for censorship and regulation exceeds that of the United States, covering a range of topics from defamation to political speech to misinformation and hate speech.
The potential fine of up to 6% of X’s global revenue, as mandated by the Digital Services Act, highlights the extortionate nature of the EU’s actions. Ironically, it is often major American companies like X that face the EU’s wrath. Google and Apple have already been hit with significant fines, and Vestager is continuing to launch investigations against these firms.
