EU Imposes $140 Million Penalty on Elon Musk's X for Misleading Practices

December 5, 2025 - 19:07

The European Union has levied a substantial fine of $140 million against Elon Musk's social media platform, X, addressing serious concerns regarding its business practices. The penalties stem from the platform's misleading implementation of blue check marks, which are intended to signify verified users, but have been criticized for lacking clarity and consistency.

In addition to the issues surrounding user verification, the EU highlighted a significant lack of transparency regarding advertising practices and data access for researchers. This lack of openness has raised alarms among regulators, who argue that it undermines the integrity of the platform and the trust of its users.

The decision reflects the EU's ongoing commitment to regulating digital spaces and ensuring that platforms operate fairly and transparently. As the digital landscape continues to evolve, the repercussions of this fine may serve as a warning to other companies regarding compliance with regulatory standards.