{"id":73005,"date":"2025-05-20T22:30:00","date_gmt":"2025-05-20T22:30:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/marinecorpstimes\/uncategorized\/2025\/05\/20\/terrorists-granted-paid-accounts-blue-checks-on-x-report\/"},"modified":"2026-08-08T16:57:17","modified_gmt":"2026-08-08T16:57:17","slug":"terrorists-granted-paid-accounts-blue-checks-on-x-report","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/marinecorpstimes\/flashpoints\/2025\/05\/20\/terrorists-granted-paid-accounts-blue-checks-on-x-report\/","title":{"rendered":"Terrorists granted paid accounts, blue checks on X: Report"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

U.S.-sanctioned terrorist organizations appear to be enjoying the perks of paid, premium accounts and verified blue check marks on the social media platform X, a potential violation of U.S. sanctions, according<\/a> to a report published Thursday.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The social media giant has accepted payments from individuals who appear to be affiliated with Iran-backed Houthi rebels and the Hamas militant group, among others, for paid accounts in a move strictly prohibited by the U.S. government, said the Tech Transparency Project, a research organization that seeks to hold big tech companies accountable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe findings add to questions, first raised<\/a> by [Tech Transparency Project] in February 2024, about X\u2019s adherence to sanctions designed to protect U.S. national interests, even as the company maintains it has a \u2019robust and secure<\/a>‘ approach to its monetization features,\u201d the report reads.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

People or groups sanctioned by the U.S. government are prohibited<\/a> from engaging in transactions with U.S. companies, per the Treasury Department\u2019s Office of Foreign Assets Control, or OFAC.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

X\u2019s terms of service states<\/a> that the company is aligned with these restrictions and premium membership will not be granted to anyone sanctioned by the OFAC.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, multiple U.S.-deemed terrorist organizations sanctioned by the OFAC have X Premium or blue check verified accounts, the report said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Approval for blue check marks is granted only after the company exercises due diligence and individually verifies the account.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prior to Musk\u2019s purchase of X, formerly known as Twitter, individuals procured blue check marks, or verification, for free, after the company had verified the account.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But Musk instituted a pay-to-play approach in 2023, which drew the ire of many users and ushered in a new era in which premium features could be accessed only by spending money.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

X Premium currently costs $8 per month, while X Premium+ costs $40 per month. Users must purchase one of the two to qualify for verification, which yields a blue check mark.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Accounts are given the status bump \u201cafter a review to ensure subscribed accounts meet all eligibility criteria,\u201d according to X\u2019s website<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

U.S.-sanctioned terrorist organizations do not qualify for such services on paper, as OFAC strictly prohibits any transactions whatsoever between such entities and U.S. companies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThese prohibitions include the making of any contribution or provision of funds, goods, or services by, to, or for the benefit of any blocked person and the receipt of any contribution or provision of funds, goods, or services from any such person,\u201d OFAC said<\/a> in a 2023 release.<\/p>\n\n\n\t