NAIROBI, Kenya- Elon Musk’s social media platform, X, has landed in hot water with European Union regulators.
The EU’s tech authorities have accused X of breaching online content rules and misleading users with its blue checkmark system.
These charges, stemming from a seven-month investigation under the Digital Services Act (DSA), could result in hefty fines and significant operational changes for X.
The European Commission’s preliminary findings highlight several areas where X allegedly fell short.
These include the use of dark patterns that manipulate user behavior, a lack of transparency in advertising, and restricted data access for researchers.
The DSA mandates that large online platforms and search engines take robust actions against illegal content and threats to public safety.
In response, X has vehemently disagreed with the EU’s assessment, with Musk threatening legal action. “We look forward to a very public battle in court, so that the people of Europe can know the truth,” Musk stated on X.
EU industry chief Thierry Breton dismissed Musk’s claims of a secret deal to censor speech.
Breton reiterated that the DSA allows platforms like X to offer commitments to resolve cases but emphasized that any such commitments must be made publicly and legally. “See you (in court or not),” Breton retorted on X.
One of the most contentious issues is the blue checkmark system on X. The Commission argues that these verified accounts no longer align with industry standards and mislead users about account authenticity.
Initially, the blue checkmark signified a verified public figure but now indicates a paid subscription status, a change Musk implemented after acquiring Twitter in 2022.
Additionally, X has been accused of not providing searchable and reliable advertising information, as required by the DSA.
The platform also allegedly blocked researchers from accessing its public data, further compounding its legal troubles.
“X has now the right of defense — but if our view is confirmed we will impose fines and require significant changes,” Breton warned.
The Commission continues to investigate other major players, including ByteDance’s TikTok, AliExpress, and Meta Platforms. The outcome of X’s case could set a precedent for how these tech giants navigate compliance with the DSA.
