Nearly half of citizens across five major European countries believe the European Union should ban the US-based social media platform X if it continues violating bloc legislation, according to a new survey that underscores growing public frustration with Big Tech’s power.
The polling, conducted by YouGov, found widespread backing for tougher enforcement measures across European Union member states, with many respondents saying financial penalties alone are no longer sufficient to force compliance.
The results come amid an escalating standoff between regulators and X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, over alleged breaches of European transparency and safety obligations under landmark digital rules.
Earlier this month, the European Commission imposed its first fine on the company under the Digital Services Act, ordering it to pay €120 million for failing to meet requirements on data access and accountability.
The move marked the most aggressive enforcement action yet under the DSA, widely considered one of the world’s strictest regulatory frameworks for online platforms.
Tensions quickly rose after X owner Elon Musk retaliated by blocking the Commission’s official advertising account, a decision critics described as provocative and dismissive of European oversight.
Campaigners say the confrontation illustrates a broader struggle between democratically elected governments and global tech companies that operate across borders with limited checks on their power.
According to the survey, conducted in Germany, France, Spain, Italy and Poland, between 60% and 78% of respondents want the EU to escalate action if X fails to address ongoing violations.
Of those who favored stronger steps, a clear majority supported banning the platform outright. Overall, roughly 47% of all participants said suspension should be considered if compliance is not achieved.
“This survey demonstrates that Europeans strongly back escalating measures to hold X and Big Tech accountable,” said Nienke Palstra, policy director at People vs Big Tech, a civil society coalition advocating tougher regulation.
“The strength of the feeling across all these states really took us by surprise,” she added, noting that support cuts across political and economic lines.
The organization, alongside groups such as WeMove Europe and European Digital Rights, has intensified pressure on policymakers with public campaigns and mobile billboards in Brussels urging leaders to defend European digital laws.
Activists argue that enforcement has become urgent as harmful material continues circulating on the platform, including deepfake pornography, disinformation campaigns and alleged child sexual abuse content.
Regulators say transparency gaps have hindered independent researchers’ ability to assess risks and investigate systemic harms. Under the DSA, very large platforms must provide meaningful access to data and mitigate threats to public safety.
The debate has also become political at the highest levels. Campaigners say the question now is whether Ursula von der Leyen and her administration are willing to fully apply the law, even if it strains transatlantic relations.
Support for strong enforcement appears robust even where economic considerations might weigh heavily. In export-driven countries, many respondents still prioritized online safety and privacy over potential diplomatic fallout.
Between 60% and 73% of those surveyed said the EU should defend digital rights even if doing so harms relations with the United States.
Meanwhile, lawmakers across Europe are grappling with the broader social consequences of online platforms. Eight governments, along with the European Parliament, are considering restrictions or bans on social media use for minors to protect children from harmful content.
Public opinion suggests patience with tech companies is wearing thin. Among respondents who favored repercussions, up to half said both additional fines and a ban should be imposed simultaneously if violations continue.
Only a small minority believed warnings alone would be enough.
In France, authorities have reportedly launched investigations into alleged illegal material hosted on the platform, while other member states are reviewing national enforcement options.
The accumulating scrutiny places X at the center of a broader regulatory test case. Officials say the platform’s response will shape how future cases against other tech giants unfold.
For campaigners, the company’s resistance has become symbolic. They argue that blocking official accounts and limiting researcher access signals an unwillingness to cooperate with democratic oversight.
Despite the hardening rhetoric, European officials insist that banning a platform remains a last resort, reserved for persistent non-compliance after all other measures fail.
Still, the polling indicates voters may be ready for decisive action.
“Europeans are done with empty warnings,” Palstra said. “They want leaders to show that European laws apply equally to everyone, including the biggest tech companies.”
X has until early March to formally respond to the Commission’s fine and present corrective measures. Failure to comply could trigger further penalties or operational restrictions within the bloc.
For now, the clash highlights a new phase in Europe’s digital governance, where public backing gives regulators greater confidence to confront Silicon Valley’s most powerful firms.
Whether the EU ultimately pulls the plug on one of the world’s largest social media networks remains uncertain. But the message from voters appears clear: accountability, not accommodation, should come first.
This article was created using automation technology and was thoroughly edited and fact-checked by one of our editorial staff members
