Tesla and SpaceX chief Elon Musk, who frequently clashes with government regulators, has publicly praised the European Union (EU) for a major technology regulation. The rule compelled Apple to abandon its proprietary Lightning port in favour of the universal USB-C charging standard.
Musk shared his views on X, the social media platform he owns. “Have to give the EU regulators credit where it's due for making all Apple products use USB-C,” he wrote.
His unusual agreement with regulators highlights the global technology industry's response to the EU's common-charger policy. Under pressure from the regulation, Apple began switching its entire iPhone lineup to USB-C with the iPhone 15 series in late 2023.
Why the EU introduced the USB-C rule
The European Union's universal-charger legislation became mandatory on December 28, 2024. It required all new smartphones, tablets, digital cameras, headphones and portable speakers sold in Europe to feature a standard USB-C port.
According to European Commission figures, unused and discarded chargers generate approximately 11,000 tonnes of electronic waste annually. The EU estimates that adopting a common charging standard will save consumers around €250 million each year by reducing the need to purchase separate chargers for different devices.
The regulation had a significant impact on Apple, which had to stop selling older models, including the iPhone 14 and iPhone SE, in Europe because they still featured the Lightning port. In April 2026, the requirement was extended further to cover laptops as well.
Europe's efforts to reduce dependence on Starlink
While Musk is praising the EU's charging regulations, European countries are simultaneously working to reduce their reliance on his satellite internet company, Starlink.
Around the time of Musk's comments, four major European telecommunications companies announced plans to collaborate on developing their own satellite-to-phone network. Their objective is to reduce dependence on foreign providers.
In a joint statement, the telecom operators said the initiative would strengthen Europe's security and independence in internet connectivity.
Starlink currently dominates the satellite internet market. The company operates a vast constellation of more than 11,000 satellites orbiting Earth. European leaders are working to ensure that the continent does not become entirely dependent on a single American billionaire for its critical communications infrastructure.
