EU accepts Musk’s proposed changes to X - for now
The EU has accepted an action plan by Elon Musk's X to resolve digital transparency violations that previously triggered a €120 million ($137 million) fine. Under the approved deal, X has six months to implement measures enhancing data access for researchers and improving ad transparency.
- World
- DPA
- Published Date: 12:21 AM 16 July 2026
The authorized measures will enable greater transparency on the social network and represent an important step in the right direction, the Brussels-based authority announced.
The US company had been ordered to pay €120 million ($137.7 million) due to a lack of transparency on X under the EU's Digital Services Act (DSA). The fine centred on what the EU called the misleading authentication of user accounts, indicated by the white verification tick on a blue background.
Following his takeover of the former Twitter platform, Musk rebranded the platform as X and introduced a system whereby all paying subscribers receive a tick or checkmark, rather than restricting it to users verified by the company.
In Brussels' view, this contravened EU rules. Following the fine, X had publicly clarified that the ticks no longer equated to verification. The platform now speaks of a "premium" status.
The European Commission had also accused X of withholding data from researchers and failing to document advertising placements transparently.
X has also promised changes in these areas, which Brussels regulators have provisionally accepted, allowing the platform six months to implement them.