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Musk’s X Fined in Canada Over Failure to Remove Intimate Image

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Elon Musk’s social media platform X has been fined C$100,000 ($72,307) by a Canadian tribunal for failing to remove a non-consensual intimate image, marking the first such penalty against an internet intermediary under British Columbia’s Intimate Image Protection Act.

Case Background

  • The Civil Resolution Tribunal first ruled in March that X must delete and remove the image of a woman identified as “TR”.

  • Instead of removing it, X geofenced the content, blocking it in Canada but keeping it visible worldwide.

  • Tribunal Vice Chair Eric Regehr rejected X’s argument that it lacked authority outside British Columbia, stating the order was straightforward: remove the image.

Tribunal’s Decision

  • Regehr said X’s partial compliance left the victim exposed:

    “She lives in the knowledge that the vast majority of the world’s population can still see the intimate image on X.”

  • The fine imposed was the maximum allowed, with the option for the woman to request additional daily penalties of up to C$5,000 if noncompliance continues.

  • Compensation for the woman’s time was denied, partly due to AI-generated errors in her submissions.

Broader Implications

  • The ruling highlights growing global pressure on platforms like X to act against abusive and exploitative content.

  • British Columbia’s Ministry of Attorney General said it expects X to comply and pay fines, stressing it does not anticipate difficulties in enforcement.

  • X and its legal counsel did not respond to Reuters’ requests for comment.

SpaceX Buys EchoStar Spectrum in $17 Billion Deal to Expand Starlink’s 5G Reach

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SpaceX announced Monday that it will purchase wireless spectrum licenses from EchoStar for about $17 billion, a move designed to accelerate Starlink’s expansion into the 5G mobile connectivity business. The deal also allows EchoStar’s Boost Mobile subscribers to access Starlink’s direct-to-cell satellite service, extending coverage to underserved regions.

The acquisition gives SpaceX exclusive rights to critical mid-band spectrum, enabling it to build upgraded, laser-linked Starlink satellites that could expand network capacity by over 100 times. “With exclusive spectrum, SpaceX will develop next-generation Starlink Direct to Cell satellites… to end mobile dead zones around the world,” said SpaceX President Gwynne Shotwell.

The deal boosted EchoStar’s shares by 19%, while U.S. carriers AT&T, T-Mobile and Verizon fell 2–3% amid investor concerns over heightened competition. Americans’ mobile data usage surged 35% in 2024 to a record 132 trillion MB, underscoring the need for expanded capacity.

Since 2020, SpaceX has launched more than 8,000 Starlink satellites, with about 600 “cell towers in space” deployed in 2024 alone for direct-to-cell services. Its giant Starship rocket, now in advanced testing, will play a key role in launching the next generation of larger satellites, with operational missions expected in 2026.

The FCC, which had questioned EchoStar’s spectrum obligations, welcomed the SpaceX deal, calling it an opportunity to “supercharge competition” and extend connectivity. EchoStar recently sold $23 billion in spectrum licenses to AT&T, and the SpaceX transaction is expected to resolve regulatory inquiries.

The purchase structure includes $8.5 billion in cash, $8.5 billion in SpaceX stock, and $2 billion in debt interest coverage. EchoStar will continue to operate its Dish TV, Sling, Hughes internet service and Boost Mobile brands.

The deal marks a major win for Elon Musk’s push to control spectrum for Starlink, shifting from leasing agreements with carriers like T-Mobile to operating on frequencies SpaceX owns outright.

Tesla’s U.S. EV Market Share Falls Below 40% for First Time Since 2017

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Tesla’s U.S. market share dropped to 38% in August, its lowest level since 2017, as rivals gained ground with aggressive incentives and fresh EV lineups, according to exclusive data from Cox Automotive shared with Reuters. The milestone marks the first time Tesla has fallen below the 40% threshold since it was ramping production of the Model 3 eight years ago.

Tesla once commanded more than 80% of the U.S. EV market, but legacy automakers like Hyundai, Kia, Toyota, Honda, and Volkswagen are surging with competitive offerings, boosted by discounts, lease deals, and federal tax credit urgency. In July, rival EV sales climbed between 60% and 120%, while Volkswagen’s ID.4 deliveries jumped over 450% month-over-month.

By contrast, Tesla’s sales grew just 3.1% in August, well below the market’s 14% growth. Even with sales rising 7% in July, Tesla’s share fell sharply to 42% from 48.7% in June—the steepest drop since 2021.

Analysts warn the decline reflects Tesla’s aging lineup and its pivot away from new mass-market EVs toward robotaxis and humanoid robots. Its last major launch, the Cybertruck (2023), failed to replicate the blockbuster success of the Model 3 or Model Y. A refresh of the Model Y also fell flat with buyers.

Cox’s director of industry insights Stephanie Valdez Streaty put it bluntly: “When you’re a car company, when you don’t have new products, your share will start to decline.”

Tesla’s shrinking share comes as its board is asking investors to approve a $1 trillion pay package for Elon Musk, contingent on Tesla reaching a $8.5 trillion valuation. Meanwhile, Musk’s political entanglements with and later break from Donald Trump have added to brand challenges.

With EV tax credits set to expire at the end of September, Tesla faces a dilemma: cut prices further to chase volume and risk margins, or hold prices and cede market share. Investors and competitors alike will be watching closely as the U.S. EV market enters a decisive phase.