European Commission fines X 120 million euros: first sanction for violating digital rules

The European Commission fines social network X

According to glavcom.ua: The European Commission has for the first time applied sanctions for violating key provisions of the EU Digital Services Act (DSA), imposing a fine of 120 million euros on the social network X. This was reported by 'Glavcom'.

An official representative of the European Commission, Thomas Renier, stated that the main reason for the fine was the violation of transparency requirements and the use of misleading practices.

Non-compliance with DSA requirements by social network X

The use of the 'blue tick' to mark 'verified accounts' misled users regarding their true verification. This deception exposes users to the risk of fraud and other manipulations by malicious actors.

The Digital Services Act explicitly prohibits online platforms from providing false information about user verification if actual verification has not been conducted. Platform X also fails to comply with transparency regarding advertising and does not provide adequate access to public data for conducting investigations.

Response from the European Commission and other sanctions

This fine is the first decision of the European Commission to impose financial sanctions for non-compliance with DSA requirements, indicating the EU's strict stance towards large technology platforms.

Previously, the British advertising regulator - the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) - banned advertisements from three major fashion giants: Nike, Superdry, and Lacoste. The reason was the violation of 'greenwashing' rules, where companies exaggerate or do not substantiate their environmental claims.

Furthermore, the social network X has opened access to a nickname marketplace for Premium+ subscribers. Program participants can submit requests to obtain names that were previously occupied by inactive accounts.

The European Commission has for the first time imposed sanctions for violating the Digital Services Act against the social network, imposing a fine of 120 million euros for misleading users regarding account verification and failing to meet transparency and advertising requirements.