Campaigners have revealed that X, formerly Twitter, extended subscription benefits to designated terrorist groups and other entities prohibited from operating in the US.
The Tech Transparency Project (TTP) discovered that X had provided blue check marks to accounts associated with members of Hezbollah and other restricted groups.
For a fee of $8 (£6.40) per month, users could access enhanced features such as longer posts and improved promotion with the verified badge.
Following the report, X removed some of the check marks, emphasizing the strength of its security measures.
One of the most controversial changes introduced by Mr. Musk after acquiring Twitter in 2022 was the decision to charge for verified badges, a move criticized for exacerbating issues of disinformation and facilitating impersonation on the platform.
Previously offered for free, the badge served to authenticate the identity behind the account, and was bestowed upon journalists, world leaders, and celebrities, among others.
After transitioning to a paid model, X has faced scrutiny for providing a platform to individuals under US sanctions, potentially violating US sanctions laws, according to critics. The Tech Transparency Project (TTP) highlighted that X had removed verification ticks from identified accounts post their report.
Among these accounts, one associated with Ansar Allah, or the Houthis, reportedly paid for a verification badge despite being sanctioned by both the US and UK. The UK government has sanctioned the Houthis to deter attacks in the Red Sea and support peace in Yemen.
The TTP noted that X may be facilitating premium services for entities under US sanctions, raising legal concerns. For instance, an account supposedly linked to Hassan Nasrallah of Hezbollah obtained ID verification, a premium feature to prevent impersonation. X’s subscription process, requiring government ID and a selfie, was defended as compliant with legal obligations.
While X claimed that some accounts listed by TTP weren’t directly sanctioned, TTP countered that they were connected to sanctioned entities. Director Katie Paul of TTP suggested that X’s platform control might be slipping.
Elon Musk, owner of X, has expressed a desire for the platform to emulate a “town square,” emphasizing free speech while curbing illegal content. Nonetheless, contentious decisions, like reinstating Kanye West’s account following a ban for offensive remarks, have stirred controversy.
TTP also highlighted subscription accounts associated with entities like NTV, a Russian state-controlled channel, despite US trade restrictions following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
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