Elon Musk's X Platform Hit with $140 Million EU Fine Over Misleading Blue Checkmark Policy
In a move that has significant implications for the social media landscape, the European Union's Digital Services Act (DSA) has fined Elon Musk's X platform nearly $140 million. This fine marks the first time under the DSA that a large online platform has been penalized for violating its regulations.
The fine was issued after an investigation by the EU Commission found that X's new policy of selling blue checks, which verify users' identities, was misleading and deceptive to its users. The commission concluded that this policy "deceives users" and exposes them to scams and manipulation by malicious actors.
Musk's decision to start selling blue checks for about $8 per month was made in November 2022, shortly after he took over Twitter. At the time, Musk had announced plans to eliminate bots from the platform, but this move has been widely criticized as a way to monetize the verified badge without actually addressing the issue of fake accounts.
The EU Commission's decision is significant because it sets a precedent for how online platforms should handle issues related to user verification and transparency. The DSA requires platforms to provide users with accurate information about their ads, including details such as the content and topic of the advertisement, as well as the legal entity paying for it.
X was also fined for violating the DSA's requirement that platforms make certain details about their ad repositories public. This includes information on who is paying for ads and where those payments are coming from. The platform has been accused of "excessive delays in processing" requests for access to this data, which makes it difficult for researchers to detect scams and other forms of manipulation.
The EU expects X to take steps to correct these issues within 60 days. If the platform fails to do so, it could face additional fines and penalties.
Musk has not directly commented on the fine, but his representatives have already signaled that he plans to sue the European Commission over the decision. Vice President JD Vance recently posted a statement on Twitter suggesting that the EU's actions were an example of "EU censorship" and that American companies should not be subject to such regulations.
However, Henna Virkkunen, the EU Commission's tech chief, has stated that the fine is proportionate and calculated based on legitimate fears about the potential risks posed by non-compliance. She emphasized that the DSA is not intended to restrict free speech but rather to protect users from scams and other forms of manipulation.
The decision to fine X marks a significant moment in the ongoing debate over online regulation and the role of social media platforms in modern society. As the Trump administration continues to push for changes to the DSA, it remains to be seen how this case will play out and what implications it may have for the future of online discourse.
In a move that has significant implications for the social media landscape, the European Union's Digital Services Act (DSA) has fined Elon Musk's X platform nearly $140 million. This fine marks the first time under the DSA that a large online platform has been penalized for violating its regulations.
The fine was issued after an investigation by the EU Commission found that X's new policy of selling blue checks, which verify users' identities, was misleading and deceptive to its users. The commission concluded that this policy "deceives users" and exposes them to scams and manipulation by malicious actors.
Musk's decision to start selling blue checks for about $8 per month was made in November 2022, shortly after he took over Twitter. At the time, Musk had announced plans to eliminate bots from the platform, but this move has been widely criticized as a way to monetize the verified badge without actually addressing the issue of fake accounts.
The EU Commission's decision is significant because it sets a precedent for how online platforms should handle issues related to user verification and transparency. The DSA requires platforms to provide users with accurate information about their ads, including details such as the content and topic of the advertisement, as well as the legal entity paying for it.
X was also fined for violating the DSA's requirement that platforms make certain details about their ad repositories public. This includes information on who is paying for ads and where those payments are coming from. The platform has been accused of "excessive delays in processing" requests for access to this data, which makes it difficult for researchers to detect scams and other forms of manipulation.
The EU expects X to take steps to correct these issues within 60 days. If the platform fails to do so, it could face additional fines and penalties.
Musk has not directly commented on the fine, but his representatives have already signaled that he plans to sue the European Commission over the decision. Vice President JD Vance recently posted a statement on Twitter suggesting that the EU's actions were an example of "EU censorship" and that American companies should not be subject to such regulations.
However, Henna Virkkunen, the EU Commission's tech chief, has stated that the fine is proportionate and calculated based on legitimate fears about the potential risks posed by non-compliance. She emphasized that the DSA is not intended to restrict free speech but rather to protect users from scams and other forms of manipulation.
The decision to fine X marks a significant moment in the ongoing debate over online regulation and the role of social media platforms in modern society. As the Trump administration continues to push for changes to the DSA, it remains to be seen how this case will play out and what implications it may have for the future of online discourse.
Just got the scoop on X being fined 140 million euros by the EU for misleading its users with that blue checkmark policy 
It's about time someone held Elon Musk accountable for monetizing a verified badge without actually fixing bot issues 
The DSA is trying to protect users from scams and manipulation, not censor free speech 
And let's be real, who doesn't love a good blue check? 
X platform got busted big time! $140 million is a lot of cash 
Elon Musk should've thought that one through 
I mean, who tries to make money off blue checks? That's just shady 
. The EU is all about protecting users from scams and manipulation 
it's about time someone held X accountable for their actions 
protecting users from scams is a must 
I gotta say, this fine is kinda expected. Like, come on Elon, you can't just slap a blue check on your users' heads and expect them to trust you? 
. Like, we all know that's just a fancy way of saying "we don't want to mess with your profits". 
and btw, if X can provide more transparency around ad repositories, that's a win in my book 
Musk's gonna sue the EU for censorship though, lol what a joke 
IT'S LIKE HE THINKS HE CAN JUST BUY HIS WAY OUT OF PROBLEMS! 
we all know why they do it, to keep the bots at bay 
makes no sense, but hey that's the business model of X 
! It's not that hard to see why he was criticized for trying to monetize a verified badge without actually fixing the bot issue. 