The European Union has issued a formal warning to Elon Musk’s X platform, alleging that it misleads users with its blue checkmark verification system and violates EU content regulations. According to EU authorities, X’s recent changes allowing anyone to obtain a verified status through a premium subscription have compromised the authenticity of verified accounts. Previously, such verification was limited to leaders, companies, and journalists subject to strict approval.
Elon Musk, who acquired the platform in 2022 and rebranded it, has clashed with Brussels over regulatory compliance. X’s CEO, Linda Yaccarino, defended the democratization of verification but faces scrutiny as EU regulators investigate issues such as illegal content dissemination and transparency in advertising practices. The formal warning under the EU’s Digital Services Act marks a significant escalation, potentially leading to substantial fines and mandatory operational adjustments for X to comply with EU laws.
