BRUSSELS: The European Union (EU) has accused Elon Musk’s social media platform X (formerly Twitter) of violating online content laws, specifically targeting its verified “blue tick” accounts for potentially misleading consumers and enabling fraud.
According to a statement from the European Commission, there is evidence indicating misuse of X’s verification system, where the coveted Blue Tick can be acquired through payment without ensuring genuine credibility.
The EU regulators have criticized X for its lack of transparency in advertising practices and failure to comply with European data disclosure requirements. If proven, X could face significant penalties, including fines up to 6% of its global annual revenue, along with mandates for operational reforms within Europe.
This scrutiny by the European Commission is part of the Digital Services Act (DSA), aimed at curbing illegal content dissemination and protecting public interests. Investigations are ongoing not only into X but also into other major tech companies such as TikTok, Meta platforms (Instagram, Facebook), and Apple.
