Report Alleges X’s Paid Services Used by Terrorist Groups

A recent investigation by the Tech Transparency Project (TTP) has brought to light concerning allegations against Elon Musk’s social media platform, X. The report claims that X has been offering its paid subscription services to accounts linked to leaders of a US-designated terrorist group, among other sanctioned entities. This revelation raises questions about the platform’s compliance with US sanctions and its role in potentially facilitating the visibility of harmful groups.

The TTP’s findings indicate that over a dozen accounts associated with US-sanctioned businesses and individuals have been granted a blue checkmark on X, signifying a premium subscription. This status not only boosts the account’s visibility on the platform but also allows for the posting of longer texts and videos. Among the 28 confirmed accounts are two leaders of Hezbollah, entities connected to the Houthis in Yemen, and official media accounts from Iran and Russia, all of which are designated by the US government as threats to national security.

The investigation highlights that 18 of these accounts were verified after X introduced a fee for its premium services in April of the previous year. The implication that X is engaging in financial transactions with these sanctioned accounts could potentially violate US sanctions laws.

X’s policy prohibits sanctioned users from paying for premium services, yet the report notes that some of these accounts were found to be running ads, suggesting a possible revenue share from ad earnings. Following the publication of the TTP report, X took swift action by removing the blue checkmarks from the mentioned accounts and suspending one account linked to the Iranian-sponsored militia, Harakat al-Nujaba.

Despite these measures, the report has sparked a debate on the responsibilities of social media platforms in enforcing sanctions and preventing their services from being exploited by sanctioned or dangerous groups. X’s response to the findings, as noted, includes a statement from the company’s @Safety account, indicating a willingness to take necessary actions based on the report’s insights. This situation underscores the ongoing challenges faced by digital platforms in navigating the complex interplay of global politics, security, and corporate ethics.