In a shocking revelation, it has come to light that X, formerly known as Twitter, has been granting subscription perks to designated terrorist groups and other entities prohibited from operating within the United States. The Tech Transparency Project (TTP) conducted an investigation which uncovered that X had provided blue check marks to accounts associated with Hezbollah members and other similar organizations. These check marks, which were previously free, now come at a monthly cost of $8 (£6.40) and offer benefits such as longer posts and enhanced promotion on the platform. The company removed some of these check marks following the release of the TTP report, asserting that their security measures are robust. However, critics argue that this move by Elon Musk, the owner of X, will worsen issues of disinformation and potentially open doors for impersonation on the platform.
The blue check mark was originally introduced to signify that Twitter had verified the identity behind each account. While many journalists, world leaders, and celebrities had received the check marks, it was discovered that some of the recipients were individuals facing sanctions in the US. This led to widespread criticism, as it appeared that X was providing a platform for the wrong people and potentially violating US sanctions law. With the implementation of a paid system for obtaining check marks, the Tech Transparency Project suggests that X may be facing new legal challenges.
According to the TTP report, X had also granted a blue check mark to an account associated with Ansar Allah, commonly known as the Houthis. The check mark has since been removed, but at the time of the investigation, the account had amassed over 23,000 followers. It is important to note that both the US and the UK have imposed sanctions on the Houthis. The UK government’s website states that these sanctions aim to disrupt the group’s ability to attack international shipping in the Red Sea and to promote stability, security, and peace in Yemen. The US Treasury, which identifies organizations with which the US prohibits trading, did not immediately respond to a request for comment from the BBC.
The Tech Transparency Project’s report states, “The US imposes sanctions on individuals, groups, and countries deemed to be a threat to national security. Elon Musk’s X appears to be selling premium service to some of them.” The report highlights an account impersonating Hassan Nasrallah, the secretary-general of Hezbollah, which claims to be “ID verified” through X’s premium subscription service. The platform requires users to submit a government-issued ID and a selfie for verification, although it remains unclear whether Nasrallah went through this process. In response to the report, X’s safety team asserted that their subscription process adheres to legal obligations and is independently screened by payment providers. They also mentioned that while some of the accounts listed in the Tech Transparency Report are not directly named on the sanctions list, X would review the report and take necessary action if required.
Katie Paul, the director of the Tech Transparency Project, expressed her concerns to the New York Times regarding X’s loss of control over its platform. Elon Musk, the owner of X and the CEO of Tesla, had previously proclaimed his desire for the social media platform to be a “town square” that preserves free speech rights while removing illegal content. However, some of Musk’s decisions since taking over X have fueled controversy. For instance, the reinstatement of rapper Kanye West’s account in 2023, following an eight-month ban for offensive and antisemitic posts, raised eyebrows.
Aside from these revelations, the TTP also discovered other accounts that seemingly had paid-for subscriptions, including one belonging to NTV, a state-controlled television channel in Russia. This discovery is significant since trade between the US and Russia has become illegal due to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. These findings underscore the importance of monitoring and ensuring the adherence to sanctions and regulations, as failure to do so can have far-reaching consequences.
Overall, the accusations against X for offering subscription perks to designated terrorist groups and individuals under sanctions have raised serious concerns. The Tech Transparency Project’s report has shed light on potential violations of existing laws and the risk of X inadvertently providing a platform for entities prohibited from operating within the US. Urgent action and stricter oversight are required to address these issues and prevent any further misuse of the platform.
