Report: Elon Musk's X Accused Of Selling Blue Ticks To Terrorist Groups

Elon Musk's social media platform X has come under scrutiny for allegedly being involved in offering subscriptions and verifications to designated terrorist groups that are prohibited from operating in the US.

According to BBC reports, The Tech Transparency Project (TTP), a nonprofit organization, discovered that X had granted blue check marks to two leaders of a US-designated terrorist group and several other organizations sanctioned by the US government.

Is Musk Selling Blue Tick to Terror Groups?

It is claimed in the report that over a dozen X accounts belonging to US-sanctioned entities had been provided with a blue checkmark, which necessitates the purchase of a premium subscription. Notably, X offers premium accounts various benefits, including the capability to post longer texts and videos, as well as increased visibility. The watchdog identified 28 accounts, 18 of which had received their verification status after April 1, 2023.

NEW: X is providing premium services to the leaders of a U.S.-designated terrorist group and other sanctioned entities, according to new research from TTP.

The arrangement may be a violation of sanctions law. https://t.co/yt1OI6t70N pic.twitter.com/77gmaAPCgu

— Tech Transparency Project (@TTP_updates) February 14, 2024

The report further stated that a blue checkmark account, bearing the name and profile image of Hassan Nasrallah, the secretary-general of Hezbollah, also indicates that it is "ID verified," a service offered by X to premium subscribers as a means to prevent impersonation.

6) The account for Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah said it was ID verified by X—a service only available to X Premium Subscribers. This requires the user to send a selfie. Can X confirm if it received a selfie from Nasrallah? pic.twitter.com/jKlyzVVypz

— Tech Transparency Project (@TTP_updates) February 14, 2024

The report added that two other accounts for U.S.-sanctioned entities, Iran's Press TV and Russia's Tinkoff Bank, were bestowed with gold checkmarks. A gold checkmark signifies that the account is a "Verified Organization," and at the time of TTP's research, it was noted to cost $1,000 per month.

5) X accounts for both gold check entities (PressTV and Tinkoff Bank) include links to their websites, which are explicitly listed in the OFAC database. Both retain their high-cost gold checks. https://t.co/7oXXEi9bQY

— Tech Transparency Project (@TTP_updates) February 14, 2024

It was claimed by the TTP that an account operated by Ansar Allah, known as the Houthis, had also apparently paid for its blue check mark.

In response to the claims, X's safety team defended its ''robust and secure approach'' to monetization features. In a tweet, it was stated, ''Several of the accounts listed in the Tech Transparency Report are not directly named on sanction lists, while some others may have visible account check marks without receiving any services that would be subject to sanctions. The report has been reviewed by our teams, and action will be taken if necessary.''

X has a robust and secure approach in place for our monetization features, adhering to legal obligations, along with independent screening by our payments providers. Several of the accounts listed in the Tech Transparency Report are not directly named on sanction lists, while… https://t.co/jgEzkNcFqj

— Safety (@Safety) February 14, 2024

The blue checkmarks from the organizations named in the report, including those for Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah and Houthi rebels in Yemen, have now been removed by X.