X’s Controversial Verification Policy: Allowing Sanctioned Individuals and Groups to Pay for Premium Services

The social media platform, X, has been making headlines recently due to a report from the Tech Transparency Project (TTP) that raises concerns about the company’s verification policy and potential violations of US sanctions. According to the report, X has allowed dozens of sanctioned individuals and groups to pay for its premium services, including verification.

The TTP report identified 28 verified accounts belonging to people and groups that the US government considers to be a national security threat. Among these were two leaders of Hezbollah, accounts associated with Houthis in Yemen, and state-run media accounts from Iran and Russia. Of these, 18 of the accounts were verified after X began charging for verification last spring.

The fact that X requires users to pay a monthly or annual fee for premium services suggests that X is engaging in financial transactions with these accounts, a potential violation of US sanctions. X’s own policies state that sanctioned individuals are prohibited from paying for premium services. Furthermore, some of the accounts identified by the TTP also had ads in their replies, raising the possibility that they could be profiting from X’s revenue-sharing program.

The change in Twitter’s verification policy was one of the most significant changes implemented by Elon Musk after he took over the company. Under the new rules, anyone can pay for a blue checkmark if they subscribe to X Premium. X doesn’t require users to submit identification, and the company has at times scrambled to shut down impersonators. However, the report raises serious questions about the implications of this policy and the potential risks it poses.

X also offers gold checkmarks to advertisers as part of its “verified organizations” tier, which starts at $200 a month. The TTP report found that accounts belonging to Iran’s Press TV and Russia’s Tinkoff Bank — both sanctioned entities — had gold checks. X has also given away gold checks to at least 10,000 companies. Even giving away the gold badge to sanctioned groups could violate US government policies.

X didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment, but it appears that the company has removed verification from some of the accounts named in the TTP’s report. Press TV tweeted from its account, which still has a gold check, that X, formerly known as Twitter, has removed the blue check and suspended the paid subscriptions of several Iranian outlets. The Hezbollah leaders’ accounts are also no longer verified.

The controversy surrounding X’s verification policy highlights the complexities and challenges of regulating online platforms and enforcing sanctions in the digital age. It also raises important questions about the role of social media companies in shaping public discourse and the potential consequences of their actions. As the debate continues, it is crucial that X and other tech companies take steps to ensure that their policies and practices are in compliance with applicable laws and regulations.

In conclusion, the report from the Tech Transparency Project sheds light on X’s controversial verification policy and the potential violations of US sanctions. The fact that X has allowed sanctioned individuals and groups to pay for premium services, including verification, raises serious concerns and highlights the complexities and challenges of regulating online platforms in the digital age. It is crucial that X and other tech companies take steps to ensure that their policies and practices are in compliance with applicable laws and regulations to avoid potential legal and reputational risks.

The controversy surrounding X’s verification policy also underscores the importance of transparency and accountability in the tech industry. Social media companies have a significant impact on public discourse and the information landscape, and it is essential that they are held to high standards of integrity and responsibility. As the debate continues, it is crucial that all stakeholders, including governments, civil society organizations, and tech companies, work together to find solutions that promote the free flow of information while ensuring compliance with applicable laws and regulations.

Furthermore, the controversy surrounding X’s verification policy highlights the need for clear and consistent policies and guidelines for online platforms regarding verification and sanctions. The lack of clarity and consistency in X’s policies and practices has led to confusion and controversy, and it is essential that the company provides clear and transparent guidelines to its users and stakeholders. This will help to build trust and confidence in the platform and ensure that it is used in a responsible and ethical manner.

In the end, the controversy surrounding X’s verification policy is a reminder that the tech industry must continue to evolve and adapt to the changing landscape of online communication and the complexities of global regulations. It is essential that tech companies prioritize transparency, accountability, and compliance with applicable laws and regulations to build trust and confidence with their users and stakeholders. By doing so, they can help to ensure that the internet remains a vibrant and open platform for communication, innovation, and creativity.