The situation escalated in the week as Wikimedia Commons, the organisation’s multimedia library, was temporarily blocked after being incorrectly flagged for hosting illegal gambling content. The site was subsequently restored following a manual check, but the country’s digital regulator said that the problem would not have arisen if it had been correctly registered according to the law.

A group of Wikipedia’s editors has called on users to write to the government about the restrictions imposed since February that prevent its editors from logging in or adding new volunteers to the system. That makes creating new content or updates difficult.

The Ministry of Communication and Digital says it will end the block once Wikimedia has completed the process of registering under the PSE license system. It says the system is necessary to ensure digital security and protect consumers.

“X deceives users,” Regnier said. “Anyone can pay to obtain verified status, and X does not meaningfully verify who is behind it.”

The investigation began nearly two years ago, shortly after the DSA took effect in 2023. The law obliges large online platforms to avoid misleading design features, clearly label advertising, and ensure researchers can access public data for safety and transparency monitoring.

According to the Commission, the fine is divided into three parts: approximately €45 million for misleading verification practices, €35 million for unclear advertising transparency, and €40 million for improper access to researcher data. The total is far below the maximum allowed penalty, up to six percent of a company’s global annual revenue.

Elon Musk, owner of X, reacted sharply on the platform, replying “Bullshit” under the EU’s announcement and sharing posts accusing the Commission of targeting free speech and American tech firms.