Last Update: April 21, 2023, 04:02 IST
The new verification mark will only be available to paid users, businesses, government entities, and officials. (Image: Reuters/Dado Ruvik/Illustration)
Owner Elon Musk, who has seen his $44 billion investment in the site shrink, has previously pledged to get rid of what he described as a “lords and peasants system”.
On April 20, Twitter began removing its blue verification checkmark from user accounts, including those of high-profile figures such as Donald Trump, Oprah Winfrey, and the Pope.
Under the original blue-check system, Twitter had approximately 300,000 verified users, including journalists, athletes and public figures.
The checks, which previously indicated that the account had been verified as legitimate by Twitter, began disappearing from these users’ profiles in the late morning Pacific Time.
verification history
About 14 years ago, Twitter started the practice of labeling profiles with blue checkmarks.
The primary purpose was to protect public data from impersonation and to provide a mechanism to limit the spread of misinformation emanating from fake accounts.
Why did this happen
Twitter CEO Elon Musk, who bought the platform for $44 billion, has pledged to end the “lords and peasants” system and sell Blue Badges for $8 a month.
Musk described the move as “democratizing journalism and empowering the voice of the people”. Earlier attempts to bring back the blue tick were unsuccessful.
now what
The cost varies from $8 per month for individual web users to at least $1,000 per month to certify an organization, in addition to a monthly fee of $50 for each affiliate or employee account, to maintain the points .
Unlike previous Blue Checks, which were distributed during Twitter’s pre-Musk administration, individual accounts are not verified by Twitter.
Paid Blue’s After Effects
Twitter has recently faced criticism from various news organizations who objected to labels on their accounts indicating that they were “state affiliated” or “government funded”. Public radio Sveriges Radio said it would stop tweeting, following in the footsteps of NPR and the CBC.
Musk’s ownership of Twitter has spared widespread debate, with some advertisers leaving the platform, and users complaining of misinformation.
(with agency inputs)
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