Monday: Russia in Ukrainian Starlink trap, X's objection to DSA penalty

European tech policy is currently grappling with significant developments, notably Russia's reported misuse of Starlink terminals in Ukraine and X (formerly Twitter) lodging an appeal against a substantial EU fine. These events highlight the ongoing challenges in enforcing digital regulations and managing the geopolitical implications of advanced technologies. The scrutiny on platforms like X underscores the EU's commitment to its digital rulebook, while the Starlink situation exposes vulnerabilities in the deployment and control of satellite internet services. The core of the Starlink issue involves Russian forces allegedly exploiting the service through intermediaries, circumventing its intended use and potentially violating sanctions. This circumvention raises complex questions about the responsibility of satellite providers and the effectiveness of measures to prevent misuse. Concurrently, X's appeal against the €5.2 million fine for breaching the Digital Services Act (DSA) for transparency reporting indicates a pushback from major platforms against regulatory enforcement, with the company citing concerns over the calculation and proportionality of the penalty. These incidents have broad implications for digital sovereignty and platform accountability within the European Union. The Starlink situation necessitates a re-evaluation of how critical infrastructure can be secured against state-level manipulation. For platforms like X, the ongoing legal challenges signal a potential period of increased friction between Big Tech and EU regulators, impacting the implementation of landmark legislation like the DSA and Digital Markets Act.