Elon Musk’s social media platform, X, formerly known as Twitter, is under fire from EU regulators for deceiving users with its new blue checkmark system and violating EU content regulations. This finding could result in significant fines for the tech billionaire.
Misleading Blue Checkmarks
Since Musk acquired Twitter in October 2022 and rebranded it as X, the platform has made substantial changes, including to the blue badge system. Previously, blue checkmarks were reserved for verified accounts such as leaders, companies, and journalists. Now, anyone can obtain a blue checkmark through a premium subscription, a move that has not sat well with the European Commission.
The Commission argues that this new system misleads users about the authenticity of accounts and content. “Since anyone can subscribe to obtain such a ‘verified’ status, it negatively affects users’ ability to make free and informed decisions,” the Commission stated. They cited evidence of malicious actors exploiting the ‘verified account’ status to deceive users.
Pushback from X and Ongoing Investigations
X’s CEO, Linda Yaccarino, defended the changes, stating that “a democratized system, allowing everyone across Europe to access verification, is better than just the privileged few being verified.”
Elon Musk, responding to the allegations on X, accused the European Commission of trying to censor speech. “The DSA IS misinformation!” he wrote, claiming that the Commission offered X an illegal deal to censor content in exchange for avoiding fines.
The Commission has declined to comment on Musk’s accusations but confirmed that the investigation continues. The probe, launched in December 2023, also examines X’s handling of illegal content and disinformation.
First Warning Under the Digital Services Act (DSA)
This formal warning to X is the first issued under the DSA, a comprehensive law mandating that digital companies do more to police content online. The DSA allows fines up to six percent of a company’s total worldwide annual turnover and can force companies to make significant changes to address violations.
X joins Apple and Meta in facing EU scrutiny for breaches of another law, the Digital Markets Act (DMA). Additionally, X is accused of not complying with advertising transparency rules and failing to provide researchers with access to public data.
Future Implications
If the EU’s preliminary view is confirmed, X could face hefty fines and be required to implement significant changes. As one of 25 “very large” online platforms in the EU, X is subject to stricter regulations, including more rigorous content moderation requirements.
Ongoing Investigations
The EU’s bolstered legal framework, including the DSA and DMA, aims to increase oversight of big tech. Current investigations also involve Meta’s Facebook and Instagram, as well as TikTok and AliExpress. The EU continues to step up enforcement, demanding detailed information from X about measures to mitigate risks, especially concerning generative AI in elections.
For now, X has the opportunity to defend itself against these findings, but the pressure from EU regulators signals a tougher stance on compliance and user protection in the digital realm.
Stay tuned for more updates on this unfolding situation and other tech industry news.