The European Commission has fined Elon Musk’s social media platform X €120 million (£105 million) for its blue tick verification system, citing concerns that it misleads users and exposes them to potential scams.
The regulator said the platform allows users to pay for a blue verified check mark without adequately verifying the identity of the account holder. “This deception exposes users to scams, including impersonation frauds, as well as other forms of manipulation by malicious actors,” the Commission said.
In addition to the verification system, EU authorities flagged X for a lack of transparency in its advertising and for restricting researchers’ access to public data. The fine takes into account the severity of the breaches, the number of EU users affected, and the duration of the violations.
Henna Virkkunen, executive vice-president for tech sovereignty at the European Commission, said X was being held accountable for “undermining users’ rights and evading accountability.” She added that “deceiving users with blue checkmarks, obscuring information on ads and shutting out researchers have no place online in the EU.”
Under the ruling, X must submit a plan to the Commission detailing how it will comply with EU law or risk further fines imposed periodically. This is the first decision by the Commission under the Digital Services Act (DSA), which sets standards for online platforms on content moderation, data usage, and advertising transparency. The DSA, alongside the Digital Markets Act, governs how digital companies operate in order to protect users and competition within the EU.
The decision has drawn criticism from U.S. officials. Vice President JD Vance condemned the EU for allegedly punishing the platform “for not engaging in censorship,” saying, “The EU should be supporting free speech, not attacking American companies over garbage.”
The fine relates to Musk’s controversial overhaul of X’s verification system following his acquisition of Twitter in late 2022. The previous verification model, which confirmed the identities of prominent users, was replaced with a subscription-based system linked to X Premium.
To receive a blue tick under the new system, accounts must have a display name, a profile picture, a verified phone number, and recent activity within 30 days. Accounts must also avoid misleading content, spam activity, or deception. Subscribers gain higher visibility in replies and other perks intended to encourage sign-ups and boost revenue.
Critics warned that the new verification scheme could increase the risk of impersonation, scams, and amplification of misleading content. EU regulators’ action underscores concerns over the platform’s approach to user safety and transparency, highlighting the growing scrutiny of social media practices in Europe.
