Elon Musk’s X Charged of Misleading Users By European Union

The European Union has charged Elon Musk’s X (formerly Twitter) of misleading users and breaking other Digital Service Act (DSA) rules.

EU’s anti-trust leader, Margrethe Vestager, shared in her statement on Friday that X’s practice did not match the EU’s rules in “key transparency areas”.

“In our view,” she said, “X does not comply with the DSA in key transparency areas, by using dark patterns and thus misleading users, by failing to provide an adequate ad repository, and by blocking access to data for researchers. The DSA has transparency at its very core, and we are determined to ensure that all platforms, including X, comply with EU legislation.”

Elon Musk bought X (formerly Twitter) in March 2023 for $44 billion and transformed the platform in various ways. One of the changes he implemented was redefining the meaning of blue checkmarks. As a result, the European Union has charged Elon Musk’s X of misleading users because of how “motivated malicious actors” use these checkmarks.

What Blue Checkmarks Meant There Before

Previously on the platform, blue checkmarks were used to identify government officials and other public figures to prevent confusion. However, Elon Musk altered the rules, allowing blue checkmarks to be obtained by those willing to pay for them. This change was transparent to X users.

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Elon Musk’s Unconventional Approach

Elon Musk’s approach has been unconventional in several aspects since taking over. Besides permitting what the previous owners labeled as hate speech on the platform, he has also allowed profiles that consistently post content that many consider toxic to remain active.

Bribery Accusation

In his recent post, Elon Musk has accused the EU of attempting to bribe him to secretly censor speech on the platform. This accusation was promptly denied by the EU. Additionally, the platform owner has threatened to sue the union. Musk also mentioned that other platforms have accepted the EU’s secret deal.

What Happens If X Were Found Guilty of Breaking EU’s Rules As Charged?

If Elon Musk’s company were found guilty as charged for misleading users on his platform and breaking other EU rules, the company would have to pay a significant fine. A fine amounting to 6% of the company’s revenue would be imposed if the company were found guilty as charged.