Al-Qaeda, other US-designated terror groups paying Elon Musk's X for blue tick benefits, watchdog report claims

A new investigation by the Tech Transparency Project (TTP), a US-based non-profit watchdog that monitors tech companies, has revealed troubling findings: Elon Musk’s social media platform X has been receiving subscription payments from individuals and organizations designated as terrorists by the United States government. The report raises serious legal, ethical, and national security questions, especially for a platform that claims to be a global hub for “free speech.”

Who is behind the investigation?

The Tech Transparency Project (TTP) is run by the nonpartisan watchdog group Campaign for Accountability, and it focuses on uncovering harmful behavior by tech giants. Its latest probe examined X’s premium subscription model - “X Premium” (formerly Twitter Blue) – which offers paying users enhanced features like post promotion, verification checkmarks, and increased visibility.

Using open-source intelligence tools and verification through the platform itself, TTP identified multiple sanctioned individuals affiliated with foreign terrorist groups actively paying for premium accounts on X.

Who are the individuals involved?

The investigation reportedly found X Premium accounts tied to an Al-Qaeda adviser, a Hezbollah founder, the head of an Iraqi militia accused of attacking US troops, and a senior Houthi official. It further claims that more than 200 accounts tied to terrorist or sanctioned organisations in the US have bought blue tick subscriptions on X.

One such account appears to be linked to Subhi Tufayli, a founding member of Hezbollah and its first secretary general, who has been under U.S. sanctions since 1995. According to The New York Times, his “ID verified” account, active since October 2023, has amassed over 40,700 followers and frequently shares half-hour sermon videos.

What’s the concern?

The crux of the issue lies in the legality and compliance with U.S. sanctions laws. Under U.S. regulations, companies are prohibited from conducting financial transactions with individuals or entities on the Specially Designated Nationals (SDN) list maintained by the U.S. Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC).

If X accepted payments from these individuals, even unknowingly, it may be in violation of federal sanctions laws. Moreover, these payments could inadvertently fund or facilitate terrorist activity, or offer propaganda platforms to extremist voices—undermining global counter-terrorism efforts.

While the regulations laid down by X themselves make it clear that users under OFAC sanctions are not allowed to access its premium features, the study found that many of these accounts had an “ID verified” label, reports The Independent.

This badge is awarded once users upload a government-issued ID along with a selfie, which X uses to verify their identity.

Many of these users also took advantage of X’s monetization features, including the tip button, to receive payments, the study mentions.

Will this bring Musk under scanner?

The alarming revelations come at a time when Musk is heading the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) in the Trump administration to reduce the size of the federal workforce.

In February, Musk criticized the Treasury Department for failing to implement “basic controls” to stop payments from reaching terrorist groups or individuals who shouldn’t be receiving them.

If proven, X could face investigations by: US Treasury Department (OFAC), Department of Justice (DOJ), and Congressional Committees concerned with national security.