EU Halts Probe into Elon Musk’s X as Trade Talks with U.S. Take Priority

The European Commission has reportedly put the brakes on one of its ongoing investigations into X, the social media platform owned by Elon Musk, according to a Financial Times article published on Thursday. The probe, launched over alleged breaches of the EU’s digital transparency regulations, was expected to wrap up before the Commission’s summer break.

Last year, EU tech regulators accused X of violating key provisions of the Digital Services Act (DSA), a landmark piece of legislation designed to tighten oversight of online content. Under the DSA, any platform found in breach could be fined up to 6% of its global revenue, while persistent violations risk a potential ban from operating within the European market.

Despite the reported delay, an EU spokesperson told reporters at Reuters in an emailed statement that the case against X remains active. “The enforcement of our legislation is independent of the current ongoing negotiations,” the spokesperson emphasized.

As of now, X has not issued any public comment in response to Reuters’ request.

The decision to stall the investigation highlights the complex balancing act EU officials face: pushing ahead with regulatory enforcement while navigating high-stakes trade negotiations that could have significant economic implications on both sides of the Atlantic.