The EU Just Slapped Twitter With a $130 Million Fine for Its Blue Checkmark Scam

Remember when Twitter's blue checkmark used to mean someone was actually verified? The European Union remembers, and they're not happy about what it's become.

The EU just hit X (formerly Twitter) with a massive 120 million euro fine (about $130 million) for violating the Digital Services Act. The charge? The platform's paid verification system is misleading users into thinking that accounts with blue checkmarks are somehow authenticated or trustworthy, when really anyone can buy one for $8 a month.

This has been a sore spot ever since Elon Musk took over Twitter and scrapped the old verification system. The original blue check meant a real person or organization had been confirmed as who they claimed to be. Now it just means someone paid for a subscription. The EU says this creates confusion and makes it easier for scammers, impersonators, and bots to appear legitimate.

The fine is one of the largest penalties handed down under Europe's relatively new Digital Services Act, which is designed to hold tech platforms accountable for how they operate. X can appeal the decision, but the EU has made it clear they're watching closely.

For users, the takeaway is simple: a blue checkmark on X means absolutely nothing about whether that account is real.

As reported by OpenTools AI News.

Source: OpenTools