X Bans European Commission Ads Amid €120m Data Protection Fine

Elon Musk's X, formerly known as Twitter, has banned the European Commission from creating advertisements on its platform following a €120 million fine imposed on the company for breaching data protection regulations. The decision was made after the European Commission's data protection authority, the European Data Protection Board (EDPB), fined X €120 million for failing to comply with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) in the handling of user data. According to a statement released by X, the company has taken the decision to ban the European Commission from advertising on its platform due to the fine. "We cannot in good conscience allow the European Commission to continue advertising on our platform while they are actively working to undermine the free speech and open discussion that our platform enables," a spokesperson for X said. The company also stated that it would be reviewing its advertising policies to ensure compliance with EU regulations. The fine was imposed on X for failing to comply with the GDPR, which requires companies to handle user data in a transparent and secure manner. The EDPB found that X had failed to provide adequate information to users about how their data was being used and shared. The European Commission had also been using X's platform to promote its policies and engage with citizens, but the ban is expected to limit its ability to do so. X's decision to ban the European Commission from advertising on its platform is seen as a significant development in the ongoing debate about data protection and free speech. The company has been at the center of controversy in recent years over its handling of user data and moderation policies. The ban is also seen as a response to the EU's increasing scrutiny of tech companies and their handling of user data. The ban is expected to have significant implications for the European Commission's ability to engage with citizens and promote its policies. The commission has been using X's platform to reach a wider audience and promote its initiatives, but the ban is expected to limit its ability to do so. The commission has not yet commented on the ban, but it is expected to respond in the coming days. X's decision to ban the European Commission from advertising on its platform is also seen as a test of the company's commitment to free speech and open discussion. The company has been at the center of controversy in recent years over its moderation policies and handling of user data, and the ban is seen as a significant development in the ongoing debate about data protection and free speech.