X Suspends European Commission’s Ad Account Following €120M Fine Over Blue Checkmarks
Social media giant X has suspended the European Commission’s ad account after the EU body fined the platform €120 million ($140 million) for alleged violations of the Digital Services Act (DSA). The unprecedented fine marks the first under the EU’s new rules, which target transparency and safety across online platforms.
The European Commission criticized X’s blue checkmark system, calling it “deceptive” and warning that it leaves users exposed to impersonation and scams. Officials also noted that X’s advertising repository did not meet DSA standards for transparency and accessibility. The commission gave X 60 days to address blue checkmark concerns and 90 days to resolve advertising transparency issues, or face additional penalties.
X’s Head of Product, Nikita Bier, responded by accusing the commission of exploiting a dormant ad account to artificially boost the reach of a post announcing the fine. Bier said the ad account had been “terminated” to prevent further misuse, emphasizing that the platform values equal voice for all users. He added that the exploit has since been patched and had not been abused before.
The move follows earlier comments from X owner Elon Musk, who dismissed the EU fine as “bullshit” and questioned the future of the European Union on the platform. Meanwhile, a European Commission spokesperson insisted the agency “always uses all social media platforms in good faith” and relies on the tools made available by corporate accounts like X’s Post Composer. The commission also confirmed that it suspended paid advertising on X in October 2023, a measure that remains in effect.
This clash highlights growing tensions between major tech companies and EU regulators as the Digital Services Act comes into force. Observers note that X’s aggressive response underscores ongoing debates over platform accountability, transparency, and the balance of power between governments and global social networks.
source: techcrunch