Social network X is “misleading” users and violating EU rules with its blue ticks that are supposed to certify trustworthy sources of information, the European Commission accused on Friday, paving the way for heavy fines.
Brussels also considers that Elon Musk’s firm is violating its transparency obligations regarding the advertisements broadcast and access to platform data for researchers.
The indictment is a first under the EU’s new Digital Services Regulation (DSA), which came into force last year to protect internet users from content deemed dangerous.
It could lead in the coming months to a final decision of non-compliance if the group does not correct the deficiencies noted, then to financial sanctions of up to 6% of the annual global turnover of X (ex-Twitter). No deadline has been set for closing these procedures.
“X designs and operates its interface for “verified accounts” with the “blue check mark” (check mark in English) in a manner that is inconsistent with industry practice and misleads users,” the Commission deplored.
“Anyone can sign up to obtain such a ‘verified’ status, which undermines users’ ability to make free and informed decisions about the authenticity of the accounts they interact with. There is evidence that malicious actors are abusing” the system, the European executive denounced.
“A democratized system that allows everyone to obtain a verified account is better than a feature granted only to a privileged few,” responded X’s executive director, Linda Yaccarino.
A “secret deal”
The European Commission, the EU’s digital police force, is also continuing investigations that could lead to two additional accusations: dissemination of illegal content and insufficient efforts against the manipulation of information.
Elon Musk expressed his anger at X: “The DSA IS disinformation!” he replied, accusing Brussels of having tried to negotiate with him a “secret deal” to “censor content without saying so”.
“There has never been – and there will never be – a ‘secret agreement’. With anyone,” counter-attacked the European Commissioner for Digital Affairs, Thierry Breton, on X.
“It’s up to you whether or not you want to offer commitments…See you soon (in court or not),” he added, in a message directly addressed to Elon Musk.
Brussels expressed concern in September about the particularly high quantity of false information published on X, after tests carried out on several social networks.
A preliminary procedure was opened on October 12, five days after the attacks by the Palestinian Islamist movement Hamas against Israel, then a formal investigation was launched in December.
The list of grievances was particularly long: low number of moderators, ineffective system for reporting illegal content, insufficient warning messages against violent images…
Freedom of expression
After buying Twitter in 2022, Elon Musk carried out a massive wave of layoffs that decimated the social network’s moderation teams. He defends a radical vision of freedom of expression, rejecting any form of censorship, even if he assures that he wants to respect the laws of each country.
The DSA requires all online platforms to have a system in place to report problematic content and to act “promptly” to remove any illegal content or make access to it impossible as soon as they become aware of it.
When it comes to advertising, platforms must allow each user to know the parameters used to target them as well as the financers of the ads.
A group of 25 particularly influential digital players, including X, must also offer approved researchers access to the data that feeds their algorithms so that compliance with the regulation can be monitored.
In addition to Elon Musk’s network, three other major platforms – TikTok, AliExpress and Meta – are the subject of formal proceedings in Brussels, without having yet reached the level of incrimination announced Friday for X.
TikTok was forced to suspend a feature that rewarded users for screen time and was accused of creating addiction after an investigation opened in April. The social network, whose parent company is Chinese, is also the target of another investigation opened in February for insufficient protection of minors.
The online shopping site AliExpress, a subsidiary of the Chinese giant Alibaba, has been targeted since March for the sale of dangerous products such as counterfeit medicines.
Finally, in April and May, the EU opened proceedings against the social networks Facebook and Instagram of the Meta group, accused of insufficient efforts against disinformation, but also of creating addictions among children and of not sufficiently protecting them against “inappropriate content”.