Report Finds X Still Accepts Payments from Sanctioned Groups for Premium Services

A new report by the Tech Transparency Project reveals that X, Elon Musk’s social media platform formerly known as Twitter, continues to accept subscription payments from entities sanctioned by the U.S. government, including groups affiliated with Hezbollah, the Houthis, and militias in Syria and Iraq. These $8-a-month subscriptions grant users blue check marks and access to premium features such as enhanced algorithmic visibility, post editing, and longer video uploads. While X previously removed verification badges and suspended some of these accounts following a 2024 report, many quickly repurchased them and have retained their verified status. The Tech Transparency Project identified over 200 such accounts linked to sanctioned groups. The organization emphasizes that these features are exploited by these groups not for notoriety alone, but for amplifying propaganda and extending their outreach. Elon Musk, who now holds an advisory role in the Trump administration, has deflected criticism, instead blaming the U.S. Treasury Department for inadequate monitoring systems. Despite prior awareness and public exposure of the issue, the platform appears to have made limited efforts to address ongoing violations of U.S. sanctions.