EU Launches Formal Complaint Against X Over Data Harvesting and Ad Practices
The European Commission has initiated a formal complaint against X, the social media platform previously known as Twitter, alleging violations of the Digital Services Act and General Data Protection Regulation. The complaint, filed amidst escalating transatlantic tensions, marks a new phase in the struggle for Europe's internet governance.
The complaint accuses X of illegally harvesting and exploiting users' personal data for targeted advertising without adequate transparency, consent, or legal basis. The EU's executive arm also alleges that X has breached rules around 'dark patterns' and deliberately failed to provide a clear opt-out from behavioral ad profiling. Under Elon Musk's leadership, X has abandoned many content moderation and transparency tools previously required by the EU.
A guilty verdict could result in a substantial fine, potentially up to six per cent of X's global turnover, which could amount to billions of euros. The Commission has promised a swift and decisive process, with interim measures such as suspending certain advertising practices or barring behavioral targeting in the EU if explanations from X are unsatisfactory. Musk has responded to the complaint with contempt, accusing the Commission of 'trying to micromanage the free speech of European citizens under the guise of privacy'.
The complaint against X serves as a test case for the EU's new Digital Services Act, with both sides aware of the high stakes. As transatlantic tensions escalate, the outcome of this case could significantly influence the future of Europe's internet and global tech regulations.
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