BRUSSELS: The European Union (EU) has accused Elon Musk’s social media platform X (formerly known as Twitter) of breaching online content laws, specifically targeting its verified “blue tick” accounts for potentially deceiving consumers and facilitating fraud.
The European Commission’s statement highlights evidence suggesting the misuse of X’s verification system, where obtaining the Blue Tick is possible through payment without ensuring genuine credibility.
Criticism has been directed at X for its opaque advertising practices and failure to adhere to European data disclosure mandates. Should these allegations be substantiated, X faces hefty penalties, including fines of up to 6% of its global annual revenue, alongside requirements for operational reforms within Europe.
This scrutiny is part of the Digital Services Act (DSA), designed to combat the dissemination of illegal content and safeguard public interests. Investigations are underway not only into X but also into other tech giants like TikTok, Meta platforms (Instagram, Facebook), and Apple.
