European Union Takes Aim at Twitter’s Blue Checkmarks
What’s the Issue?
The European Union has issued a warning to Twitter, claiming that its blue checkmarks are misleading and deceptive. The EU’s Digital Services Act (DSA) requires social media platforms to ensure transparency and accountability, and Twitter’s verification process falls short of these standards.
Preliminary Findings
The EU’s investigation into Twitter’s practices under the DSA has uncovered several issues:
- Blue Checkmarks: The EU claims that Twitter’s blue checkmarks are not transparent and can be used by malicious actors to deceive users.
- Data Access: Twitter blocks researchers from accessing public data, making it difficult for them to scrutinize online risks.
- Ad Database: Twitter’s ad database is not searchable or reliable, hindering researchers’ ability to investigate online ads.
Regulatory Action
The EU’s regulatory body, the European Commission, has given Twitter a chance to respond to the accusations and make changes to comply. If Twitter fails to comply, the commission can impose penalties worth up to 6% of the company’s annual global revenue.
Twitter’s Response
Elon Musk, Twitter’s CEO, responded to the EU’s findings, claiming that the commission offered Twitter an "illegal secret deal" to censor speech in exchange for not fining the company. Musk also stated that Twitter looks forward to a "very public battle in court" to prove the EU’s claims false.
European Commissioner’s Response
Thierry Breton, European Commissioner for the Internal Market, welcomed the challenge and clarified that there is no "secret deal" between the EU and Twitter. He emphasized that the DSA provides platforms with the opportunity to offer commitments to settle cases.
Background
In 2022, Twitter’s new owner, Elon Musk, introduced a paid verification system, where users could purchase a blue checkmark for $8 per month. This has led to concerns about the authenticity of accounts and the spread of misinformation.
Conclusion
The EU’s investigation into Twitter’s practices highlights the importance of transparency and accountability in the digital age. As social media platforms continue to shape our online experiences, it is essential that they adhere to regulatory standards and prioritize user safety.
FAQs
Q: What are the EU’s concerns about Twitter’s blue checkmarks?
A: The EU claims that Twitter’s blue checkmarks are not transparent and can be used by malicious actors to deceive users.
Q: What are the other issues the EU has raised with Twitter?
A: The EU has also raised concerns about Twitter’s data access and ad database, claiming that the company blocks researchers from accessing public data and has a non-searchable and unreliable ad database.
Q: What are the consequences if Twitter fails to comply with the EU’s demands?
A: If Twitter fails to comply, the EU’s regulatory body can impose penalties worth up to 6% of the company’s annual global revenue and order the company to fix the problems.
Q: How does the DSA impact social media platforms like Twitter?
A: The DSA requires social media platforms to take more responsibility for protecting their European users and cleaning up harmful or illegal content and products on their sites, under threat of hefty fines.
Q: What is the next step in the investigation?
A: The EU’s investigation is ongoing, and the regulatory body will continue to monitor Twitter’s practices to ensure compliance with the DSA.
Author: fortune.com
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