LOC17:49
14:49 GMT
BRUSSELS, Dec 8 (KUNA) -- The European Union decried on Monday online attacks by US billionaire Elon Musk following the European Commission's imposition of a EUR 120 million (USD 140 million) fine on his social media platform X.
EU spokeswoman Paula Pinho told reporters that "this falls within the freedom of expression we defend, even if it includes completely crazy statements," emphasizing the EU's position against any attempts to influence its regulatory authority or impose conditions on major tech companies.
Musk had compared the bloc to "Nazi Germany" and described its institutions as "unelected authoritarian bureaucracy oppressing the peoples of Europe," calling for its abolition and the return of sovereignty to member states.
Musk's attack on the EU came after the bloc imposed the 120 million euros fine on the X platform for violating EU rules on online content.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio condemned the EU move, calling it "an attack on all American tech platforms and the American people". (end)
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