Tech Desk 
Jul 13, 2024
Elon Musk's X (formerly Twitter) is in hot water following claims from EU tech regulators that it has violated EU online content rules.
Issued on Friday, the ruling could significantly alter the organisation’s operations.
X has become the first victim of the EU’s new Digital Services Act (DSA) following a seven-month investigation.
The DSA compels large online platforms and search engines to clamp down on illegal content and public security risks emerging through their sites.
Read more: How to see sensitive content on X (formerly Twitter)
Preliminary findings scrutinise the microblogging site for its ‘dark patterns’, lack of advertising transparency, and limited data access for researchers.
There was also some trouble with X’s blue checkmark system, which the commission found to be misleading and confusing for users in ascertaining authenticity.
Back in 2022, when Musk acquired the company, he changed the checkmark from representing a public figure to a paid subscriber.
The stakes are extremely high; if found guilty, Musk’s biggest acquisition could be fined up to 6% of its global turnover.
EU industry chief Thierry Breton said in an official statement, "X has now the right of defence, but if our view is confirmed, we will impose fines and require significant changes."
Musk offered an equally fiery response, challenging the authenticity of the commission's claims and asserting that the commission offered his company a secret deal to censor content to avoid fines, which X rejected.
The Commission is also investigating X for illegal content dissemination and its measures against disinformation.
Additionally, other platforms like TikTok, AliExpress, and Meta Platforms are also under investigation under the DSA.
