EU accuses Elon Musk’s X of violating online content rules
Elon Musk’s social media platform, X, formerly known as Twitter, is under scrutiny by the European Union for allegedly breaching online content regulations.
The EU’s tech regulator claims the platform’s “verified” blue tick accounts can mislead users, as anyone can purchase a blue tick, which may not indicate genuine identity verification.
This has led to concerns about “malicious actors” exploiting the system.
The EU investigation, conducted under the Digital Services Act (DSA), also criticized X for its lack of transparency in advertising and failure to provide necessary data for research.
The DSA, implemented in 2022, mandates that major tech companies curb illegal content and protect public safety.
Other companies under investigation include ByteDance’s TikTok, AliExpress, and Meta Platforms.
The European Commission highlighted that X’s design and operation of its blue tick verification system are deceptive and do not align with industry standards, potentially hindering users’ ability to discern authentic accounts. Thierry Breton, Commissioner for Internal Market, noted that the current system misleads users, contrasting with the former reliability of the blue tick.
The platform also faces allegations of blocking researchers from accessing its public data, which could lead to an enhanced supervision period and significant operational changes if confirmed. Potential penalties include fines up to 6% of X’s global annual revenue.
The BBC has reached out to X for comments. Elon Musk acquired the platform for $44 billion in 2022. The Commission’s ongoing investigations will continue to examine X’s handling of illegal content and the spread of fake news.
Source: bbc.com
