Taxpayer Watchdog Group Condemns EU’s X Fine

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Kara Zupkus (224)-456-0257

WASHINGTON, D.C. – This morning, the European Commission slapped X (the platform formerly known as Twitter) with a $140 million fine for supposedly violating hate speech and misinformation rules. The Commission also alleges deceptive practices regarding the granting of blue checkmarks on the platform. This fine was levied under the authority of the 2022 Digital Services Act.

In response, TPA President David Williams offered the following comment:

“The actions by the European Commission today confirm many of the worst fears of free market and consumer groups across the U.S. Burdensome European internet regulations such as the Digital Services Act are nothing but a ploy to attack successful American tech companies. There is a reason Europe has almost no thriving tech sector of which to speak. Now, as their regulators prey on American firms, U.S. lawmakers must stand up against such actions.

“Anti-tech populism is unfortunately on the rise in the U.S., and some lawmakers have even proposed an American version of the Digital Services Act. Some—like former Federal Trade Commission Chair Lina Khan—have even visited European regulators to discuss exporting these onerous rules. Clearly, EU regulators are no friends of the American economy or of free speech online. President Trump has courageously pushed back against foreign attempts to punish U.S. companies for being successful. To remain the world’s leader in technological innovation, American policymakers must follow the President’s lead and stand up to rogue bureaucrats across the Atlantic.”