X, formerly Twitter, is taking steps to clarify its blue checkmark policy. This move comes as European regulators increase their scrutiny of the platform.
The social media platform is now prominently displaying a disclaimer. The disclaimer states that blue checkmarks indicate a paid subscription, not verified identity.
This change is an attempt to avoid potential penalties under the EU's Digital Services Act (DSA). The EU is investigating X for potentially misleading users.
The EU charged X in July 2024 for allowing anyone to purchase a blue checkmark. This symbol was traditionally reserved for verified public figures.
The investigation falls under the DSA, which requires platforms to address illegal and harmful content. Failure to comply could result in fines of up to 6% of global revenue.