EU Threatens to Shut Down X Over Content Rules

BRUSSELS—The European Union has issued a stern warning to social media platform X (formerly known as Twitter), threatening to shut down the service across its member states if it fails to comply with new stringent content moderation regulations. The move represents a significant escalation in the ongoing battle between the EU and major tech companies over the spread of illegal and harmful content online.

The warning comes in the wake of the Digital Services Act (DSA), a sweeping legislative package that came into effect earlier this year, aimed at holding online platforms accountable for the content they host. Under the DSA, platforms like X are required to take more aggressive actions to combat misinformation, hate speech, and other forms of harmful content, or face severe penalties.

European Commissioner for Internal Market Thierry Breton, who has been a vocal advocate for stricter tech regulation, delivered the ultimatum in a public statement on Wednesday. “The time for excuses is over,” Breton declared. “If X does not comply with our rules to protect our citizens from harmful content, we will have no choice but to block access to the platform in the European Union.”

X, which was acquired by billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk in 2022, has been under intense scrutiny since the takeover, particularly for its content moderation policies. Musk, who rebranded the platform as X, has positioned himself as a free speech advocate, often clashing with regulators over what he perceives as excessive censorship. This stance, however, has led to concerns that X is not doing enough to curb the spread of dangerous content.

The platform has already faced numerous complaints from EU officials over its perceived laxity in removing false information and hateful rhetoric. Critics argue that Musk’s hands-off approach has allowed harmful content to flourish, creating a breeding ground for disinformation and online harassment.

Breton specifically pointed to the recent surge in misinformation related to global events such as the Israel-Hamas conflict and the Russia-Ukraine war, where X has been accused of allowing the spread of unfounded claims and inflammatory rhetoric. “The proliferation of harmful content during such critical times cannot be tolerated,” Breton said. “The DSA is clear—platforms must act responsibly, or they will face consequences.”

The DSA empowers the European Commission to impose fines of up to 6% of a company’s global revenue for non-compliance, and in extreme cases, to ban platforms from operating within the EU entirely. This threat marks one of the first instances where the EU has directly warned a major tech platform of such a drastic measure, signaling a tougher stance on digital regulation.

In response to the EU’s warning, X has reiterated its commitment to complying with global regulations but has defended its approach to content moderation. A spokesperson for the company stated, “X remains committed to fostering a platform that supports free expression while complying with local laws. We have invested heavily in technology and human resources to address illegal content and will continue to engage with EU regulators to ensure compliance.”

However, the company’s reassurances have done little to quell the concerns of EU officials and digital rights advocates, who argue that X’s efforts have so far fallen short. “We’ve heard these promises before, yet the problems persist,” said Věra Jourová, the European Commission Vice President for Values and Transparency. “The DSA provides us with the tools to enforce the rules, and we will not hesitate to use them if necessary.”

The standoff between X and the EU highlights the broader tensions between tech giants and regulators worldwide as governments seek to rein in the power and influence of social media platforms. While tech companies argue that overly strict regulations could stifle innovation and freedom of expression, regulators maintain that robust oversight is necessary to protect the public from the harmful effects of unchecked online activity.

The potential shutdown of X in the EU would be a significant blow to the platform, which relies heavily on its European user base. Such a move would also set a precedent, demonstrating the EU’s willingness to take drastic action against non-compliant tech firms.

As the deadline for compliance looms, all eyes are on X to see how it will respond to the EU’s ultimatum. Will the platform take the necessary steps to align with the DSA’s requirements, or will it risk being shut out of one of the world’s largest digital markets? The answer could have far-reaching implications not just for X, but for the future of social media regulation globally.

For now, the situation remains tense, with both sides standing firm in their positions. The coming weeks will be crucial in determining whether a compromise can be reached or if the EU will indeed make good on its threat to pull the plug on one of the world’s most influential social media platforms.