I think this sort of open American cronyism is what's destroying the business goodwill any of these US social media platforms ever had, or even have left.

"Deceiving users with blue checkmarks, obscuring information on ads and shutting out researchers have no place online in the EU," said European Commission Vice President Henna Virkkunen.

Pre-empting the announcement on Thursday night, United States Vice President JD Vance that "the EU should be supporting free speech not attacking American companies over garbage."

Virkkunen said the ruling had "nothing to do with censorship," adding: "If you comply with our rules, you don't get a fine. It's as simple as that."