European Union Accuses Elon Musk’s Social Media Site X of Breaching Online Content Rules
Elon Musk’s social media platform X is facing scrutiny from the European Union for allegedly breaching its online content rules. The EU’s tech regulator has accused X of allowing “verified” blue tick accounts to potentially deceive users, as anyone can pay for a blue tick without their identity being verified.
The bloc’s investigation found evidence of “malicious actors” abusing the system and a lack of transparency around advertising on the platform. X also failed to provide data for research use as required under EU rules.
The ruling could result in X being fined up to 6% of its global annual turnover and being forced to change its operations in the EU. The BBC has reached out to X for comment on the allegations.
The investigation was conducted under the Digital Services Act (DSA), which aims to hold big tech firms accountable for stopping illegal content and protecting the public. Other platforms like TikTok, AliExpress, and Meta Platforms are also under investigation under the DSA.
Thierry Breton, Commissioner for Internal Market, expressed concern over X’s use of blue tick verified accounts, stating that they deceive users and infringe the DSA. X has the opportunity to defend itself, but could face fines and be required to make significant changes if found in violation.
X was also charged with blocking researchers from accessing its public data, which could lead to an “enhanced supervision period” for compliance. The Commission will continue to investigate X’s practices regarding illegal content dissemination and combating fake news.
The outcome of the investigation could have significant implications for X and its operations in the EU, as regulators aim to ensure transparency and accountability in the online space.
