EU Fines Elon Musk's X for Deceptive Verified Accounts Under Digital Services Act

The commission, which has been investigating X since 2023, concluded that X's use of the blue checkmark for verified accounts deceives users. This violates the DSA as the deception exposes users to scams, including impersonation frauds, as well as other forms of manipulation. According to the commission, the practice of selling blue checks for about 8 euros per month immediately prompted a wave of imposter accounts pretending to be notable celebrities, officials, and brands. Today, X still prominently advertises that paying for checks is the only way to verify an account on the platform. "We are concerned that the practice of selling blue checks creates an environment where users are more likely to be deceived by impersonation scams," said a European Commission spokesperson. "This is a clear violation of the Digital Services Act, and we expect X to take immediate action to correct this issue." The Digital Services Act, which came into effect in 2023, aims to regulate large online platforms and protect users from harm. The act requires platforms to take responsibility for the content they host and to implement measures to prevent the spread of misinformation and scams. X's use of the blue checkmark has been a subject of controversy since Musk took over Twitter. Critics have argued that the practice of selling blue checks undermines the credibility of the platform and creates an environment where users are more likely to be deceived. The fine is a significant blow to X, which has been struggling to regain user trust and credibility since Musk's takeover. The European Commission has given X a deadline to correct the issue and avoid further penalties. The platform will need to implement measures to prevent the spread of impersonation scams and ensure that users are not deceived by the use of blue checks. The outcome of this case will have significant implications for the tech industry, as it sets a precedent for how large online platforms are regulated and held accountable for their actions. The European Commission has not specified what measures X will need to take to correct the issue, but it is expected to implement changes to its verification process and ensure that users are not deceived by the use of blue checks. The outcome of this case will be closely watched by the tech industry, as it sets a precedent for how large online platforms are regulated and held accountable for their actions.