European Union Charges X, Formerly Known as Twitter, for Deceptive Practices and Lack of Transparency

The European Union has taken aim at Elon Musk’s X, formerly known as Twitter, accusing the platform of deceptive practices and falling short on transparency and accountability requirements. This marks the first charges against a tech company since the bloc’s new social media regulations came into effect.

The European Commission’s investigation into X under the Digital Services Act revealed concerns about the platform’s blue checkmarks, which regulators say can be used by malicious actors to deceive users. The checkmarks, which were previously reserved for celebrities and influential accounts, became available to anyone who paid $8 per month for verification after Musk acquired the site in 2022.

In addition to the issue with blue checks, X is also facing accusations of blocking data access to researchers and shortcomings in its ad transparency rules. Musk responded to the charges with a combative statement, alleging that the European Commission offered X an illegal deal to censor speech without informing users in exchange for avoiding fines.

European Commissioner Thierry Breton expressed disappointment in X’s handling of the situation, stating that the platform’s actions deceive users and infringe on the DSA. X now has the opportunity to respond to the accusations and make changes to comply with the regulations, which could result in penalties worth up to 6% of the company’s annual global revenue.

The investigation into X is ongoing, with regulators also looking into the platform’s efforts to curb illegal content and combat information manipulation. Other tech companies, including TikTok, AliExpress, and Meta Platforms, are also facing DSA investigations.

Overall, the charges against X highlight the growing scrutiny of tech companies and the importance of transparency and accountability in the digital age.