EU Finds X’s Blue Checks Misleading, Lacks Transparency Under New Social Media Rules

The European Union has stated that the blue checkmarks on Elon Musk’s X platform are misleading and that the online service is lacking in transparency and accountability, marking the first accusations against a tech company since the bloc’s new social media rules came into effect.

The European Commission outlined on Friday the preliminary findings of its investigation into X, formerly known as Twitter, under the 27-nation bloc’s .

The regulations, also known as the DSA, are a comprehensive set of rules that require platforms to take greater responsibility for protecting users and maintaining a clean environment on their sites.

Regulators have targeted X’s blue checkmarks, labeling them as “dark patterns” that deviate from industry best practices and can be exploited by malicious actors to deceive users.

Since Musk’s acquisition of the site in 2022, the platform began issuing verification marks to anyone willing to pay $8 per month for one. Prior to Musk’s purchase, these badges mirrored common social media verification practices and were primarily reserved for celebrities, politicians, and other influential accounts.