The post EU Fines X $140M for Misleading Verified Badges and Data Denial appeared on BitcoinEthereumNews.com. X’s blue checkmark system was judged a deceptive design, because it misleads users about account authenticity The social media platform didn’t create the required clear, public log of ads, as mandated by new EU rules X now has 60 working days to present a remediation plan for the blue check issue, and 90 days to address ad transparency and data access shortcomings The European Commission fined Elon Musk’s social network X €120 million (roughly $140 million) for violations of the Digital Services Act (DSA), which represents the first major enforcement under the regulation. The case centers on X’s paid blue check verification system, missing transparency around political and commercial ads, and barriers that researchers faced when they tried to study public posts. Under the DSA, regulators want people in Europe to see who paid for content, why they see it, and how platforms handle risks such as disinformation and targeted manipulation. Related: ‘Impossible to Fake Energy’: Musk Doubles Down on Bitcoin’s Intrinsic Value How X misled users with Blue Checks According to the Commission, there were several breaches involved: X’s blue checkmark (verification badge) system, where users can pay for verified” status, was judged a deceptive design because it misleads users about account authenticity. X didn’t create the required clear, public log of ads, as mandated by new EU rules. Key details like who bought an ad, what it said, and who it was shown to were often missing or hard to find. Researchers were denied adequate access to public data, such as metrics and content data. The platform’s interface and terms of service were found to impose unnecessary barriers that hindered legitimate data collection and analysis of public information. The fine is broken down into three segments: approximately €45 million for checkmark-related deception, €35 million for advertising transparency failures,… The post EU Fines X $140M for Misleading Verified Badges and Data Denial appeared on BitcoinEthereumNews.com. X’s blue checkmark system was judged a deceptive design, because it misleads users about account authenticity The social media platform didn’t create the required clear, public log of ads, as mandated by new EU rules X now has 60 working days to present a remediation plan for the blue check issue, and 90 days to address ad transparency and data access shortcomings The European Commission fined Elon Musk’s social network X €120 million (roughly $140 million) for violations of the Digital Services Act (DSA), which represents the first major enforcement under the regulation. The case centers on X’s paid blue check verification system, missing transparency around political and commercial ads, and barriers that researchers faced when they tried to study public posts. Under the DSA, regulators want people in Europe to see who paid for content, why they see it, and how platforms handle risks such as disinformation and targeted manipulation. Related: ‘Impossible to Fake Energy’: Musk Doubles Down on Bitcoin’s Intrinsic Value How X misled users with Blue Checks According to the Commission, there were several breaches involved: X’s blue checkmark (verification badge) system, where users can pay for verified” status, was judged a deceptive design because it misleads users about account authenticity. X didn’t create the required clear, public log of ads, as mandated by new EU rules. Key details like who bought an ad, what it said, and who it was shown to were often missing or hard to find. Researchers were denied adequate access to public data, such as metrics and content data. The platform’s interface and terms of service were found to impose unnecessary barriers that hindered legitimate data collection and analysis of public information. The fine is broken down into three segments: approximately €45 million for checkmark-related deception, €35 million for advertising transparency failures,…

EU Fines X $140M for Misleading Verified Badges and Data Denial

2025/12/06 06:53
  • X’s blue checkmark system was judged a deceptive design, because it misleads users about account authenticity
  • The social media platform didn’t create the required clear, public log of ads, as mandated by new EU rules
  • X now has 60 working days to present a remediation plan for the blue check issue, and 90 days to address ad transparency and data access shortcomings

The European Commission fined Elon Musk’s social network X €120 million (roughly $140 million) for violations of the Digital Services Act (DSA), which represents the first major enforcement under the regulation.

The case centers on X’s paid blue check verification system, missing transparency around political and commercial ads, and barriers that researchers faced when they tried to study public posts. Under the DSA, regulators want people in Europe to see who paid for content, why they see it, and how platforms handle risks such as disinformation and targeted manipulation.

Related: ‘Impossible to Fake Energy’: Musk Doubles Down on Bitcoin’s Intrinsic Value

How X misled users with Blue Checks

According to the Commission, there were several breaches involved:

  • X’s blue checkmark (verification badge) system, where users can pay for verified” status, was judged a deceptive design because it misleads users about account authenticity.
  • X didn’t create the required clear, public log of ads, as mandated by new EU rules. Key details like who bought an ad, what it said, and who it was shown to were often missing or hard to find.
  • Researchers were denied adequate access to public data, such as metrics and content data. The platform’s interface and terms of service were found to impose unnecessary barriers that hindered legitimate data collection and analysis of public information.

The fine is broken down into three segments: approximately €45 million for checkmark-related deception, €35 million for advertising transparency failures, and €40 million for data access violations.

Under the DSA, penalties could have reached up to 6% of global revenue, meaning this is more of a proportionate penalty rather than a maximal one.

Henna Virkkunen, the European Commission’s Executive Vice President for tech regulation, said the fine was appropriate and not about censorship. She clarified that the purpose is not to censor but to ensure companies are more open and users are safer online.

X has yet to respond

For X, the blue check model represented a way to monetize. The social media platform now has 60 working days to present a remediation plan for the blue check issue, and 90 days to address ad transparency and data access shortcomings. If it fails, higher fines or further sanctions under DSA are possible.

Interestingly, a similar situation happened with TikTok, where the company recently avoided a fine by committing to improve its ad transparency and compliance.

All eyes are now on whether X will follow the EU’s instructions and, if so, how fast. What the company does next will show if it plans to play by the new rules or fight against them.

Related: Europe’s 10 Largest Banks Form ‘Qivalis’ to Break US Dollar’s 99% Grip on Stablecoin Market

Disclaimer: The information presented in this article is for informational and educational purposes only. The article does not constitute financial advice or advice of any kind. Coin Edition is not responsible for any losses incurred as a result of the utilization of content, products, or services mentioned. Readers are advised to exercise caution before taking any action related to the company.

Source: https://coinedition.com/eu-fines-musk-x-140m-for-misleading-verified-badges-and-data-denial/

Disclaimer: The articles reposted on this site are sourced from public platforms and are provided for informational purposes only. They do not necessarily reflect the views of MEXC. All rights remain with the original authors. If you believe any content infringes on third-party rights, please contact service@support.mexc.com for removal. MEXC makes no guarantees regarding the accuracy, completeness, or timeliness of the content and is not responsible for any actions taken based on the information provided. The content does not constitute financial, legal, or other professional advice, nor should it be considered a recommendation or endorsement by MEXC.

You May Also Like

Adoption Leads Traders to Snorter Token

Adoption Leads Traders to Snorter Token

The post Adoption Leads Traders to Snorter Token appeared on BitcoinEthereumNews.com. Largest Bank in Spain Launches Crypto Service: Adoption Leads Traders to Snorter Token Sign Up for Our Newsletter! For updates and exclusive offers enter your email. Leah is a British journalist with a BA in Journalism, Media, and Communications and nearly a decade of content writing experience. Over the last four years, her focus has primarily been on Web3 technologies, driven by her genuine enthusiasm for decentralization and the latest technological advancements. She has contributed to leading crypto and NFT publications – Cointelegraph, Coinbound, Crypto News, NFT Plazas, Bitcolumnist, Techreport, and NFT Lately – which has elevated her to a senior role in crypto journalism. Whether crafting breaking news or in-depth reviews, she strives to engage her readers with the latest insights and information. Her articles often span the hottest cryptos, exchanges, and evolving regulations. As part of her ploy to attract crypto newbies into Web3, she explains even the most complex topics in an easily understandable and engaging way. Further underscoring her dynamic journalism background, she has written for various sectors, including software testing (TEST Magazine), travel (Travel Off Path), and music (Mixmag). When she’s not deep into a crypto rabbit hole, she’s probably island-hopping (with the Galapagos and Hainan being her go-to’s). Or perhaps sketching chalk pencil drawings while listening to the Pixies, her all-time favorite band. This website uses cookies. By continuing to use this website you are giving consent to cookies being used. Visit our Privacy Center or Cookie Policy. I Agree Source: https://bitcoinist.com/banco-santander-and-snorter-token-crypto-services/
Share
BitcoinEthereumNews2025/09/17 23:45
How The ByteDance App Survived Trump And A US Ban

How The ByteDance App Survived Trump And A US Ban

The post How The ByteDance App Survived Trump And A US Ban appeared on BitcoinEthereumNews.com. WASHINGTON, DC – MARCH 13: Participants hold signs in support of TikTok outside the U.S. Capitol Building on March 13, 2024 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images) Getty Images From President Trump’s first ban attempt to a near-blackout earlier this year, TikTok’s five-year roller coaster ride looks like it’s finally slowing down now that Trump has unveiled a deal framework to keep the ByteDance app alive in the U.S. A look back at the saga around TikTok starting in 2020, however, shows just how close the app came to being shut out of the US – how it narrowly averted a ban and forced sale that found rare bipartisan backing in Washington. Recapping TikTok’s dramatic five-year battle When I interviewed Brendan Carr back in 2022, for example, the future FCC chairman was already certain at that point that TikTok’s days were numbered. For a litany of perceived sins — everything from the too-cozy relationship of the app’s parent company with China’s ruling regime to the app’s repeated floating of user privacy — Carr was already convinced, at least during his conversation with me, that: “The tide is going out on TikTok.” It was, in fact, one of the few issues that Washington lawmakers seemed to agree on. Even then-President Biden was on board, having resurrected Trump’s aborted TikTok ban from his first term and signed it into law. “It feels different now than it did two years ago at the end of the Trump administration, when concerns were first raised,” Carr told me then, in August of 2022. “I think, like a lot of things in the Trump era, people sort of picked sides on the issue based on the fact that it was Trump.” One thing led to another, though, and it looked like Carr was probably…
Share
BitcoinEthereumNews2025/09/18 07:29