EU: X's blue checks are deceptive 'dark patterns' that breach social media laws

FILE - The Twitter page of Elon Musk is seen on the screen of a computer in Sausalito, California, April 25, 2022. The EU says that letting users pay for a blue check - formerly a sign the account was verified - violates its Digital Services Act.

The European Union said Friday that blue checkmarks from Elon Musk's X are deceptive and that the online platform falls short on transparency and accountability requirements, the first charges against a tech company since the bloc's new social media regulations took effect.