Elon Musk’s X offers verification fix to settle €120M EU dispute

Elon Musk’s social media platform X has agreed to bring changes in the user verification system to settle a €120M dispute with the EU.

Earlier Bloomberg reported that X had offered solutions for the blue checkmark, now this is confirmed by European Commission spokesman Thomas Regnier.

In December, the European Union regulators slammed X with €120M for violating the EU online content rules under Digital Services Act (DSA).

The EU regulators reported that the paid verification system introduced by X could mislead users by creating the impression regarding the reliability of verified accounts.

According to the Commission, the site does not provide a current list of who is paying for ads. Such discrepancy is problematic during elections as it masks the identity of those who propagate certain claims and political messages.

As per the EU decision, the company must either pay the fine or provide a financial guarantee.

The move fuelled a diplomatic row between Brussels and Washington, as the Trump’s administration accused the EU of censorship and singling out American companies only.

The European Union Commission’s executive said the laws are not meant to target any nationality and that it is merely defending its digital and democratic standards which usually serve as the benchmark for the rest of the world.