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European regulators have charged Elon Musk’s X platform with breaching the Digital Services Act, accusing it of various violations including misleading users and lacking transparency. Margrethe Vestager, a senior official at the European Commission, announced the preliminary findings, highlighting X's alleged use of "dark patterns" to deceive users and its failure to maintain an adequate repository for advertisements. The Commission also criticized X for restricting access to data necessary for research purposes.

According to the European Union’s executive arm, X's approach to verified accounts does not align with industry standards and could mislead users. The platform allegedly allows anyone to obtain "verified" status, which has reportedly been abused by malicious actors to deceive users. If the Commission’s findings are substantiated, X could face fines of up to 6% of its global annual turnover.

Responding to the allegations, X has not issued a statement following requests for comment. Senior Commission official Thierry Breton expressed concerns over the misuse of verified accounts, noting that what once symbolized trustworthiness now appears to deceive users, contrary to the intent of the Digital Services Act.

Enacted in August, the Digital Services Act prohibits practices such as "dark patterns," subtle design features that manipulate user behavior to disclose personal data or make decisions that benefit the company. Consumer advocacy groups have criticized such practices, highlighting instances where companies emphasize opt-in choices through prominent design elements while obscuring opt-out alternatives.

The investigation into X's practices began in December, initiated by EU regulators amid mounting concerns about the platform's content moderation. Authorities are examining whether X has adequately addressed the dissemination of illegal content and tackled misinformation in compliance with the Digital Services Act.

The formal inquiry gained momentum following scrutiny of X's handling of Hamas-affiliated accounts after attacks in October raised questions about the platform's content policies and moderation practices. EU officials have been probing X since last year, aiming to ensure compliance with regulations designed to safeguard user transparency and mitigate harmful online content.

As the investigation progresses, EU regulators continue to scrutinize X's operations, focusing on transparency, user protection, and adherence to regulatory standards. The outcome of this inquiry could have significant implications for how digital platforms manage content and interact with users within the European Union's regulatory framework.