The European Commission released its preliminary findings today on the investigation into Elon Musk’s social media platform ‘X’, commonly known as Twitter.
The report found that the policies and algorithms used by the platform deceive users and advertisers. If these findings are upheld by the EU, Musk faces a maximum fine of 6% of X’s global revenue.
The Commission found that Musk’s policy of selling blue checks to any user willing to pay constitutes a “dark practice,” and that their study has shown evidence that “malicious actors” are using the system, which boosts the visibility of accounts who have them, to spread false information more effectively than was possible under the old system, where it was extremely difficult to get verified.
EU Antitrust Chief Margrethe Vestager made the following statement:
“In our view, 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.”
The Commission also found that X is deceiving advertisers by refusing to be transparent with data. Musk will now have an opportunity to respond to the findings as the case moves forward.
EU Commissioner Thierry Breton posted his response to the report on X: “Back in the day, #BlueChecks used to mean trustworthy sources of information
Now with X, our preliminary view is that:
They deceive users
They infrige #DSA
X has now the right of defence —but if our view is confirmed we will impose fines & require significant changes.” @ThierryBreton – July 12, 2024
This is Elon Musk’s response posted on X formerly known as Twitter: “We look forward to a very public battle in court, so that the people of Europe can know the truth” @elonmusk – July 12, 2024