Bluesky is ramping up its verification program, even though it's still not exactly clear how it plans to determine which accounts are "authentic and notable" enough for a blue checkmark. One month after the company said it would start giving checkmarks to select accounts, the company is now allowing people to apply for verification. Currently, the application consists of a multi-page Google Form that asks users to share details about their account and why they want to be verified. However, it's not exactly clear what criteria Bluesky will be taking into account or how it will be reviewing what will almost certainly be a flood of applications. The company notes that it will only verify accounts that are "active and secure, authentic, and notable." Bluesky also recommends some obvious steps, like having a complete bio and using two-factor authentication. The linked form also asks users about what "category" they may fall into, such as an elected official, brand, athlete, journalist, academic or "other." But it sounds like Blueksy is very much still figuring out verification as it goes. "Our criteria for verification is evolving based on user feedback," the form states. "We will continue to expand the scope of accounts that are eligible for verification over time. This is an initial version of the form that will change as we finalize the requirements for verification." It also notes that "meeting the basic criteria does not guarantee verification." That could complicate things for Bluesky, which resisted the idea of having an in-house verification system until recently, despite repeated issues with impersonation. The service has more than 36 million sign-ups, and if even a small percentage of them request a badge, it could quickly overwhelm the company's small team. Notably, the platform is also expanding its "trusted verifiers," which are third-party entities that can verify users (who get a slightly different-shaped checkmark) and vouch for their legitimacy. Organizations that want to verify on behalf of others can also sign up via the same form.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/social-media/you-can-now-apply-for-verification-on-bluesky-222802057.html?src=rss

X has once again been accepting payments from people associated with terrorist groups and other entities subject to US sanctions, according to a new report from the Tech Transparency Project (TTP). According to the report, X has not only accepted payments in exchange for its premium service, but in some cases has provided an "ID verified" badge. The report once again questions whether X is complying with US sanctions that restrict companies' ability to do business with individuals and entities that have been deemed a security threat. Last year, the TTP published a similar report that identified more than two dozen verified accounts that were affiliated with sanctioned groups, including leaders of Hezbollah and accounts associated with Houthis in Yemen. Many of those checkmarks were subsequently revoked, with X promising to "maintain a safe, secure and compliant platform." But some of those accounts simply "resubscribed" to X's premium service or created fresh accounts, according to the report, which is based on research between November 2024 and April 2025. "TTP’s new investigation found an array of blue checkmark accounts for U.S.-sanctioned individuals and organizations, including several that appeared to simply re-subscribe to premium service or create new accounts after their old ones were restricted or removed by X," the report says. "Moreover, some of the accounts were 'ID verified,' meaning X conducted an additional review to confirm their identity." The report once again highlights verified accounts associated with members of Hezbollah, including one of its founders, as well as Houthi officials who "are making heavy use of X for messaging and propaganda." The son of Libyan dictator Muammar Gadhafi, whose account was previously suspended, also currently has a blue check, as does Raghad Saddam Hussein al-Tikriti, one of Saddam Hussein's daughters. Both have been under sanctions for more than a decade. X didn't respond to a request for comment on the report. In response to last year's report, the company said it would "take action if necessary." However, it's unclear if the company changed any of its practices regarding who can pay for premium subscriptions. “If a small team can use X’s public facing search tools to identify these accounts, it’s unclear why a multi-billion-dollar company cannot do the same,” Michelle Kuppersmith, the executive director for Campaign for Accountability, the watchdog group that runs TTP said in a statement. “It’s one thing to allow terrorists to have a voice on the platform; it’s another entirely to allow them to pay for a more effective megaphone.”This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/social-media/x-is-once-again-selling-checkmarks-to-us-sanctioned-groups-report-says-194352896.html?src=rss

Grokking terrorists Report: Terrorist groups seem to be paying X to raise funds, collect tips Did Musk rip Treasury Department over terrorist payments while X paid terrorists? Ashley Belanger – May 15, 2025 12:20 pm | 7 Yemen's Houthi supporters wearing masks depicting the faces of Trump and Netanyahu, chained and standing for trial, participate in a demonstration staged against Israel and the US president Donald Trump on May 9, 2025 in Sana'a, Yemen. Credit: Mohammed Hamoud / Contributor | Getty Images News Yemen's Houthi supporters wearing masks depicting the faces of Trump and Netanyahu, chained and standing for trial, participate in a demonstration staged against Israel and the US president Donald Trump on May 9, 2025 in Sana'a, Yemen. Credit: Mohammed Hamoud / Contributor | Getty Images News Story text Size Small Standard Large Width * Standard Wide Links Standard Orange * Subscribers only   Learn more Back in February, Elon Musk skewered the Treasury Department for lacking "basic controls" to stop payments to terrorist organizations, boasting at the Oval Office that "any company" has those controls. Fast-forward three months, and now Musk's social media platform X is suspected of taking payments from sanctioned terrorists and providing premium features that make it easier to raise funds and spread propaganda—including through X's chatbot Grok. Groups seemingly benefiting from X include Houthi rebels, Hezbollah, and Hamas, as well as groups from Syria, Kuwait, and Iran. Some accounts have amassed hundreds of thousands of followers, paying to boost their reach while X seemingly looks the other way. In a report released Thursday, the Tech Transparency Project (TTP) flagged popular accounts seemingly linked to US-sanctioned terrorists. Some of the accounts bear "ID verified" badges, suggesting that X may be knowingly going against its own policies that ban sanctioned terrorists from benefiting from its platform. Even more troublingly, "several made use of revenue-generating features offered by X, including a button for tips," the TTP reported. On X, Premium subscribers pay $8 monthly or $84 annually, and Premium+ subscribers pay $40 monthly or $395 annually. Verified organizations pay X between $200 and $1,000 monthly, or up to $10,000 annually for access to Premium+. These subscriptions come with perks, allowing suspected terrorist accounts to share longer text and video posts, offer subscribers paid content, create communities, accept gifts, and amplify their propaganda. Disturbingly, the TTP found that X's chatbot Grok also appears to be helping to whitewash accounts linked to sanctioned terrorists. In its report, the TTP noted that an account with the handle "hasmokaled"—which apparently belongs to "a key Hezbollah money exchanger," Hassan Moukalled—at one point had a blue checkmark with 60,000 followers. While the Treasury Department has sanctioned Moukalled for propping up efforts "to continue to exploit and exacerbate Lebanon’s economic crisis," clicking the Grok AI profile summary button seems to rely on Moukalled's own posts and his followers' impressions of his posts and therefore generated praise. Ars was able to replicate the summary, which described Moukalled as "a fierce Lebanese economist and journalist" who "champions resistance against Israeli aggression, exposing economic fallout and rallying for Palestine and Lebanon's sovereignty from Moscow's airwaves." It further praised Moukalled as someone the X community relies on for "economic insights," who "passionately champions resistance, critiques foreign influence in Lebanon, and honors martyrs with fiery posts." Paul told Ars that the TTP found several accounts for which Grok provided a positive and sometimes poetic spin while describing sanctioned terrorists. An Ars review of Grok summaries of other flagged profiles confirmed the pattern, suggesting that X does not reference data outside of X when summarizing profiles of known terrorists and possibly not even critical data on its own platform. According to the TTP, "X appears to be violating sanctions that bar US companies from transacting or dealing with sanctioned individuals and entities" by granting these accounts paid blue checkmarks. No response from X yet It's unclear what actions X might take to investigate the accounts. The TTP's director Katie Paul told Ars that X has acknowledged the report but so far has not commented on it. Earlier this year, when the TTP flagged other suspected terrorist accounts, X responded within hours, claiming to have "a robust and secure approach" to block sanctioned terrorists from accessing monetization features. At that time, X claimed that some suspected terrorists who were flagged were not directly named on any sanction lists, while "others may have visible account check marks without receiving any services that would be subject to sanctions." But the TTP suggested that even providing services "for the benefit of any blocked person" could be considered a US national security risk and a sanctions violation—even perhaps "where aides or colleagues are running a premium account in the name of a sanctioned person." The TTP noted that X suspended some accounts following its earlier report, but the clean-up effort seemed "short-lived." Some accounts quickly popped back up under new names or simply resubscribed to X Premium when the option became available. X did not immediately respond to Ars' request to comment. But an X user asked Grok about the TTP's report, generating this response: Reports suggest X has allowed accounts linked to sanctioned terrorists, like Hezbollah leaders, to purchase blue checkmarks, potentially violating US sanctions. The Tech Transparency Project noted this in 2024 and May 2025, indicating ongoing issues. X claims compliance with laws and has removed some checkmarks, but doubts remain about their vetting process. Evidence leans toward violations, though X disputes some claims, saying not all accounts are directly sanctioned. The issue is unresolved, raising concerns about platform safety. Paul told Ars that the TTP will continue monitoring suspected terrorist activity violating US sanctions on X. She said that Musk potentially "actively profiting from Houthi accounts and helping them fundraise" is notable from a national security standpoint in particular, since the Houthis recently sent a warning during Donald Trump's Middle East visit threatening to escalate tensions following a ceasefire where Houthis agreed to suspend attacks on American vessels. Ashley Belanger Senior Policy Reporter Ashley Belanger Senior Policy Reporter Ashley is a senior policy reporter for Ars Technica, dedicated to tracking social impacts of emerging policies and new technologies. She is a Chicago-based journalist with 20 years of experience. 7 Comments