Monday marks the deadline for Elon Musk’s social media platform X to pay a €120 million European Union penalty over its verification system and transparency breaches.
Issued on: 16/03/2026 - RFI
South African-born US tech billionaire Elon Musk acquired X, then known as Twitter, in 2022. AFP - NICOLAS TUCAT
The penalty against X (formerly Twitter) stems from a landmark case in 2025 under the EU’s Digital Services Act (DSA), legislation designed to ensure that major online platforms take greater responsibility for tackling illegal and harmful content.
The European Commission has been examining a set of remedies submitted by the company – a sign that discussions between Brussels and the platform remain active.
A spokesperson for the Commission confirmed on Friday that X has proposed changes relating to its blue checkmark verification system, which was central to the case against the company.
The regulator said it would “carefully assess” the proposed remedies, according to Commission spokesperson Thomas Regnier, although no further details were disclosed.
The fine was originally issued in December after EU regulators concluded that the platform had breached rules governing transparency and the treatment of users online.
The case marked the first major enforcement action under the DSA, underscoring the EU’s determination to assert stronger oversight of powerful digital platforms.
A test for Europe’s digital rules
At the heart of the dispute lies the platform’s blue checkmark feature, long regarded as a symbol of verified identity on social media.
Before Musk acquired the company in 2022, then known as Twitter, the badge indicated that an account belonged to a notable public figure or organisation whose identity had been confirmed by the platform.
That changed following Musk's takeover, at which point the blue checkmark became tied to a paid subscription service. Under the revised system, users could obtain the badge by subscribing, rather than through an identity verification process.
EU regulators argued that this shift risked misleading users. In July 2024, the European Commission formally charged the company with deceiving users, saying the blue checkmark no longer reflected widely recognised industry practices and could create confusion about the authenticity of accounts.
The case followed a two-year investigation conducted under the DSA – a sweeping regulatory framework that places new obligations on large online platforms operating in the EU.
Among other requirements, the law compels companies to address illegal content, limit systemic risks and ensure greater transparency about how their services operate.
The enforcement action also attracted criticism from the United States government, which has expressed concern about the potential impact of EU tech regulations on American companies.
The penalty against X (formerly Twitter) stems from a landmark case in 2025 under the EU’s Digital Services Act (DSA), legislation designed to ensure that major online platforms take greater responsibility for tackling illegal and harmful content.
The European Commission has been examining a set of remedies submitted by the company – a sign that discussions between Brussels and the platform remain active.
A spokesperson for the Commission confirmed on Friday that X has proposed changes relating to its blue checkmark verification system, which was central to the case against the company.
The regulator said it would “carefully assess” the proposed remedies, according to Commission spokesperson Thomas Regnier, although no further details were disclosed.
The fine was originally issued in December after EU regulators concluded that the platform had breached rules governing transparency and the treatment of users online.
The case marked the first major enforcement action under the DSA, underscoring the EU’s determination to assert stronger oversight of powerful digital platforms.
A test for Europe’s digital rules
At the heart of the dispute lies the platform’s blue checkmark feature, long regarded as a symbol of verified identity on social media.
Before Musk acquired the company in 2022, then known as Twitter, the badge indicated that an account belonged to a notable public figure or organisation whose identity had been confirmed by the platform.
That changed following Musk's takeover, at which point the blue checkmark became tied to a paid subscription service. Under the revised system, users could obtain the badge by subscribing, rather than through an identity verification process.
EU regulators argued that this shift risked misleading users. In July 2024, the European Commission formally charged the company with deceiving users, saying the blue checkmark no longer reflected widely recognised industry practices and could create confusion about the authenticity of accounts.
The case followed a two-year investigation conducted under the DSA – a sweeping regulatory framework that places new obligations on large online platforms operating in the EU.
Among other requirements, the law compels companies to address illegal content, limit systemic risks and ensure greater transparency about how their services operate.
The enforcement action also attracted criticism from the United States government, which has expressed concern about the potential impact of EU tech regulations on American companies.
Changes to verification system
While the fine remains in place, attention has now turned to the remedies proposed by X in response to the Commission’s findings.
The company has reportedly agreed to alter how its verification mechanism works within the EU. The exact nature of the changes has not been publicly outlined, but regulators are expected to scrutinise whether the proposals sufficiently address concerns about user transparency and potential deception.
The Commission’s assessment could shape how the DSA is enforced going forward. As the first major test of the legislation, the case against X is being closely watched by both regulators and technology companies around the world.
(with newswires)
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