Elon Musk’s X Blocks European Commission from Advertising After Major €120 Million Fine

Elon Musk’s social media platform X has blocked the European Commission from running advertisements on the site, just days after the company was fined 120 million euros for alleged failures involving its blue verification badges. The unusual move has escalated tensions between the platform and European regulators, who have increasingly scrutinised X over transparency, content moderation and compliance with digital laws.

The dispute intensified when Nikita Bier, a senior figure at X, took to the platform to accuse the European Commission of attempting to exploit a loophole in the company’s advertising system. According to Bier, the Commission used the system to promote a post announcing the fine issued against X on Friday. He claimed that the actions demonstrated a belief that the Commission did not need to follow the same rules imposed on other advertisers.

In a message addressed directly to the Commission’s account, Bier wrote that the regulator appeared to think the rules should not apply to them. He added that the behaviour violated platform advertising policies and that the Commission’s advertising account had therefore been terminated. X has not specified whether the ban is temporary or permanent, nor whether any dialogue is underway that might restore the Commission’s advertising access.

The European Commission has not yet issued a detailed public response, although officials have previously stated that X is obligated to comply with the EU’s Digital Services Act. The law requires major online platforms to maintain clear and accurate labelling systems, particularly for accounts that pay for enhanced visibility or verification. The Commission has argued that X’s subscription based blue tick program created confusion by allowing paid users to appear indistinguishable from official or public interest accounts, a concern that intensified following numerous impersonation incidents.

The fine imposed last week was one of the largest issued to a social media company under the new digital rules. It signalled the EU’s willingness to levy substantial penalties against companies it believes fail to take sufficient responsibility for content integrity and user safety. The Commission has previously warned that failure to correct violations could result in repeated penalties or other regulatory actions.

X, however, maintains that the fine is unfair and that the platform has taken steps to improve transparency around account verification. Musk has repeatedly argued that his changes encourage a more open and democratic online environment, while critics say the new systems have increased misinformation risks.

The decision to block the Commission’s advertising account represents a significant escalation at a time when relations between tech companies and EU authorities are becoming increasingly strained. Digital rights experts say the move is highly unusual, with platforms typically aiming to avoid confrontation with regulatory bodies. The situation raises questions about how X intends to navigate future regulatory reviews and whether political institutions will seek alternative digital channels to communicate with European citizens.

As the dispute continues, both sides face growing public attention. For the European Commission, the case highlights its efforts to enforce new digital standards across the industry. For X, the confrontation may shape perceptions of the platform’s willingness to cooperate with global regulators.