European Union

words.The European Commission fined Elon Musk’s platform X €120 million for a deceptive blue‑verification badge, opaque advertising data, and denying researcher access, citing Digital Services Act breaches. Musk responded with hostile remarks, urging EU abolition, while U.S. officials condemned the penalty as regulatory overreach. X must submit a verification remedial plan within 60 days and address ad‑repository transparency within 90 days, facing further penalties for non‑compliance. The fine highlights mounting EU regulation, forcing X to revamp its identity‑management and ad‑tech systems, with broader trade‑policy ramifications.

President Trump threatens a Section 301 trade investigation against the EU in response to “discriminatory fines” levied on U.S. tech giants Google and Apple. This follows the EU’s antitrust fine of nearly $3.5 billion on Google and ongoing scrutiny of Apple’s tax practices, including a $14 billion back tax bill in Ireland. Trump argues the EU unfairly penalizes American companies, impacting U.S. investments and jobs, and vows to nullify these penalties. The move could escalate trade tensions and impact the tech sector.

The EU Commission has fined Google €2.95 billion for anti-competitive practices in its adtech business, alleging the company favored its own services, disadvantaging rivals and distorting the market. The EU requires Google to cease these practices within 60 days and address conflicts of interest. Google disputes the findings, plans to appeal, and argues its services benefit the market. This decision could force Google to restructure its adtech business in Europe and sets a precedent globally for antitrust actions against dominant tech platforms.