Elon Musk’s X Challenges E.U. ‘Censorship’ Law After $140 Million Fine
Elon Musk’s social media platform X announced Friday that it is formally challenging a 140 million dollar fine imposed by the European Commission under the European Union’s Digital Services Act, escalating a major legal fight over online speech regulation.
The fine, issued in December 2025, stemmed from allegations that X failed to comply with the DSA, a sweeping law that allows E.U. authorities to penalize companies for not removing content regulators classify as illegal or as misinformation. X filed its appeal in the E.U.’s General Court, arguing that the enforcement process was flawed and biased.
In a statement, X’s Global Government Affairs team said the decision followed what it described as an incomplete and superficial investigation, along with serious procedural errors and violations of due process. The company said it remains committed to user safety and transparency while defending what it called users’ access to a global town square.
X Files Appeal Against €120M EU Fine Under Digital Services Act
X filed an appeal at the General Court of the European Union challenging the €120 million fine imposed by the European Commission on 5 December 2025, the first non-compliance fine under the Digital Services Act…
— Global Government Affairs (@GlobalAffairs) February 20, 2026
The case marks the first major legal challenge to the Digital Services Act. Critics argue the law grants sweeping authority to the European Commission to shape content moderation policies and punish companies that do not align with regulatory expectations. Under certain provisions, companies can face fines of up to 6 percent of their global revenue.
Support for X’s challenge has come from Alliance Defending Freedom International. Senior European counsel Adina Portaru said the enforcement action represents a crackdown on a platform that prioritizes open debate. She warned that allowing the Commission’s concentration of power to go unchallenged could set a troubling precedent for speech regulation across Europe and beyond.
The Digital Services Act relies in part on non governmental organizations that advise regulators on potentially unlawful content. Companies must comply with extensive reporting and risk assessment requirements or face steep penalties. The European Commission has maintained that the law is content neutral and aimed at ensuring online safety and accountability.
Musk has publicly criticized the fine and the broader regulatory framework. The dispute has also drawn attention from U.S. lawmakers. President Trump previously warned that Europe must be careful in how it approaches regulation of American companies, while House Judiciary Chair Jim Jordan has said Congress is exploring legislative options to shield U.S. firms from foreign penalties tied to speech regulation.