The European Commission fines platform X 120 million EUR for violations of the DSA transparency rules.
Brussels, December 5, 2025 - The European Commission has decided to impose a fine of 120 million EUR on platform X, after finding multiple violations of the transparency obligations set out in the Digital Services Act (DSA). According to the decision, X used a misleading design of the "blue checkmark" label, did not provide an advertising register in accordance with the requirements, and restricted researchers' access to the platform's public data.
In short
The "blue checkmark" label is considered a misleading design that can mislead users.
The advertising register of X does not provide the mandatory data regarding the content, theme, and paying entity.
Access to public data for researchers is restricted contrary to DSA obligations.
The 120 million EUR fine is the first non-compliance decision issued under the DSA.
X has between 60 and 90 working days to present corrective measures.
The Commission states that the use of the "blue checkmark" on platform X can mislead users, as the "verified" status can be obtained through payment, without verifying the real identity of the person behind the account. This practice contravenes the DSA's prohibition on misleading design and increases the risk of fraud through impersonation and manipulation.
Regarding advertising transparency, the register provided by X does not comply with legal requirements regarding accessibility and mandatory content. The Commission notes significant delays in data processing, as well as the absence of essential information: the content of the advertisement, its theme, and the entity financing it.
The platform has also violated the obligation to provide researchers access to public data, including those that can be collected through scraping. Internal procedures, deemed by the Commission as "unjustified barriers," limit researchers' ability to analyze systemic risks in the online space.
"Misleading users through blue checkmark labels, hiding information about advertisements, and excluding researchers have no place online in the EU. (...) Through the first non-compliance decision issued under the DSA, we hold platform X accountable for undermining user rights and avoiding responsibility," said Henna Virkkunen, Executive Vice President for Technological Sovereignty, Security, and Democracy.
X has 60 working days to submit measures to eliminate practices related to the "blue checkmark" and 90 days for an action plan regarding the advertising register and access to public data. Subsequently, the Board of Digital Services will issue an opinion, and the Commission will make a final decision on the implementation deadlines.
