Today we issue for the first time preliminary findings under the Digital Services Act. In our view, X does not comply with the DSA in key transparency areas, by using dark patterns and thus misleading users, by failing to provide an adequate ad repository, and by blocking access to data for researchers.
One key issue is a change in how the site awards 'verified account' status, i.e., the blue checkmark Twitter was known for. In the past, it had to be earned. Since Elon Musk purchased the platform, however, it is now simply for sale. According to the Commission, this 'does not correspond to industry practice and deceives users.'
Finally, the Commission finds that 'there is evidence of motivated malicious actors abusing the 'verified account' to deceive users,' which echoes prior concerns that X has become one of the world's leading purveyors of misinformation.
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