In a recent development, Elon Musk's social media site X has come under fire from the European Union (EU) for allegedly violating the bloc's online content rules. The EU's tech regulator has accused X of misleading users with its "verified" blue tick accounts, stating that these accounts can potentially deceive individuals.

According to the investigation initiated under the EU's Digital Services Act (DSA), the regulator found evidence of "malicious actors" abusing X's blue tick verification system. The EU's clampdown on X could result in hefty fines of up to 6% of the platform's annual global turnover, as well as changes in its operational practices within the EU.

Elon Musk, the billionaire owner who acquired the platform for $44 billion in 2022, expressed his displeasure with the DSA rules, calling it "misinformation" and claiming that it curtails freedom of speech. X's chief executive, Linda Yaccarino, supported the platform's practices, stating that a democratised system allowing everyone in Europe access to verification is preferable to just a privileged few being verified.

The investigation, which spanned seven months under the DSA, also highlighted a lack of transparency in X's advertising practices and non-compliance with providing research data as required by EU regulations. The Commission further criticized X's design and operation of its blue tick interface, stating that it did not align with industry standards and deceived users. The widespread availability of these blue tick verified accounts, which can be obtained by anyone, negatively impacts users' ability to discern the authenticity of accounts and the content they interact with, leading to potential exploitation by malicious actors.

X now has the opportunity to defend itself against these findings or commit to making necessary changes to comply with EU regulations. The Commission stated that any resolution reached will be made public, refuting Musk's claims of an "illegal secret deal" being offered.

Thierry Breton, the EU Commissioner for Internal Market, expressed concern over the impact of X's practices on user trust, remarking that "BlueChecks," which were once synonymous with trustworthy sources of information, now seem to deceive users and infringe upon the DSA.

The Commission pushed back against Musk's accusation of censorship, asserting that the DSA aims to create a safe and fair online environment for European citizens while respecting freedom of expression. The regulations include informing users when their accounts are restricted and providing an avenue for banned users to contest such decisions.

The investigation into X's dissemination of illegal content and its efforts to combat the spread of fake news continues. Additionally, ByteDance's TikTok, AliExpress, and Meta Platforms are also under scrutiny under the DSA.

As the verdict on X looms, the EU remains steadfast in its commitment to ensuring accountability within big tech firms and upholding a responsible digital landscape for its citizens.