A recent report suggests that X, the social media platform under Elon Musk’s ownership, may be contravening U.S. sanctions by accepting payments for subscription accounts from entities, including terrorist organizations, prohibited from conducting business in the country.
Published by the Tech Transparency Project, a nonprofit organization focused on holding large technology companies accountable, the report reveals that X, formerly known as Twitter, has received payments from accounts associated with Hezbollah leaders, Houthi groups, and state-controlled media outlets in Iran and Russia. These subscriptions, priced at $8 per month, offer users a coveted blue check mark, previously reserved for verified users such as celebrities, along with enhanced promotion by X’s algorithm and other benefits.
Despite X’s terms of service explicitly prohibiting individuals and organizations listed under U.S. sanctions from making payments on the platform, the report identifies 28 accounts that possess the blue check mark.
Katie Paul, director of the Tech Transparency Project, expressed surprise at X’s provision of premium services to a wide array of groups sanctioned by the U.S. for terrorism and activities detrimental to national security, stating, “It’s yet another sign that X has lost control of its platform.”
Neither X nor Elon Musk responded to requests for comment. Musk has previously stated his desire for X to serve as a bastion of free speech, with a commitment to removing only illegal content.
Since Musk’s acquisition of Twitter in 2022, the company has undergone significant changes, including a shift away from advertising in favor of subscription revenue and the reinstatement of numerous previously banned accounts. Musk also abolished Twitter’s verification policy, replacing it with a system wherein users pay for verification badges. Additionally, organizations can subscribe for $1,000 per month, receiving a gold check mark and extra perks.
