EU says X's blue tick accounts deceive users

The European Union has accused Elon Musk's social media platform, X, of breaching online content rules by allowing anyone to pay for a "verified" blue tick account, potentially deceiving users. The EU's tech regulator found evidence of malicious actors abusing the system, leading to a seven-month investigation under the Digital Services Act. X could face fines up to 6% of its global annual turnover and operational changes in the EU. Musk criticized the DSA as misinformation and censorship, while X's CEO defended the platform's democratized verification system. The investigation also revealed a lack of transparency in advertising and data provision for research, with X's interface for verified accounts not aligning with industry standards. The Commission offered X a chance to defend itself or commit to changes. The EU emphasized the rules aim to create a safe online environment respecting freedom of expression. Investigations into X's handling of illegal content dissemination and fake news spread are ongoing, alongside probes into other tech giants like TikTok and Meta Platforms under the DSA.