Elon Musk’s X first to be fined under EU’s Digital Services Act
In a significant development for online regulation, Elon Musk’s social media platform, X (formerly known as Twitter), has become the first major platform to be penalized under the European Union’s Digital Services Act (DSA). The European Commission announced on Friday that X would incur a hefty fine of nearly $140 million, a decision underscoring the EU’s commitment to enforcing stricter online safety and accountability measures. The fine comes with the caveat that X could face additional “periodic penalty payments” if it fails to implement necessary corrections that align with the DSA’s requirements.
The fine is largely attributed to one of Musk’s early decisions after acquiring Twitter in late 2022, which involved altering the platform’s verification system. Previously, blue checkmarks were used to authenticate the identities of notable users, providing a layer of trust for the platform’s audience. However, Musk’s new approach allowed users to purchase a blue checkmark for approximately $8 per month, which led to a surge in impersonation accounts. This change not only diluted the significance of verification but also resulted in numerous fake profiles mimicking celebrities, public figures, and brands, causing confusion and potential harm to users and stakeholders alike. The EU’s decision to impose such a substantial fine reflects growing concerns over misinformation and the integrity of online platforms, setting a precedent for future enforcement of the DSA across Europe.
This landmark ruling highlights the EU’s proactive stance in regulating digital spaces and ensuring that platforms prioritize user safety and accountability. As the landscape of social media continues to evolve, the implications of this fine may reverberate through the tech industry, prompting other platforms to reassess their policies and practices to avoid similar penalties. The case of X serves as a cautionary tale for social media companies navigating the complexities of user verification and the responsibilities that come with operating in a highly scrutinized digital environment.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=172UfQCqm2Y
Elon Musk’s X became the first large online platform fined under the European Union’s Digital Services Act on Friday.
The European Commission
announced
that X would be fined nearly $140 million, with the potential to face “periodic penalty payments” if the platform fails to make corrections.
A third of the fine came from one of the first moves Musk made when taking over Twitter. In November 2022, he changed the platform’s historical use of a blue checkmark to verify the identities of notable users. Instead, Musk started selling blue checks for about $8 per month, immediately prompting a
wave of imposter accounts
pretending to be notable celebrities, officials, and brands.
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