The European Union has made accusations against Elon Musk’s company X, formerly known as Twitter, stating that the blue checkmarks on the platform are deceptive and do not meet industry best practices for transparency and accountability.
These charges mark the first action taken against a tech company since the EU’s new social media regulations, known as the Digital Services Act, came into effect.
The European Commission’s investigation into X highlighted several issues, including the improper use of blue checkmarks, which the regulators referred to as “dark patterns” that could be exploited by malicious actors to deceive users. Previously, verification badges were primarily reserved for celebrities and public figures, but after Musk acquired the platform in 2022, they became available to anyone willing to pay $8 per month.
In response to the accusations, Musk criticized the European Commission, claiming that they offered X an illegal deal to censor speech in exchange for leniency. He maintained that X did not accept the deal, unlike other platforms. The company has been criticized for not complying with ad transparency rules under the DSA and hindering researchers’ access to data.
European Commissioner Thierry Breton expressed concerns about the misuse of blue checkmarks, stating that they now deceive users and violate the DSA. X has been given the opportunity to respond to the allegations and make necessary changes to comply with the regulations. Failure to do so could result in penalties of up to 6% of the company’s annual global revenue.
While these accusations are part of an ongoing investigation, regulators are also examining X’s efforts to combat illegal content and misinformation on the platform. Similar investigations are being conducted on other tech giants like TikTok, AliExpress, and Meta Platforms, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram.
Overall, the EU’s actions against X highlight the growing scrutiny and regulation facing tech companies regarding transparency, accountability, and the protection of users on social media platforms. The outcome of this case could have significant implications for the future of online governance and the responsibilities of tech companies in the digital age.
