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Twitter made headlines recently when some top users faced the possibility of losing their blue verification check marks in a planned clean-up by Elon Musk. Despite the announcement, the fallout was not what many anticipated. Instead of a mass removal of blue checks, Twitter unexpectedly altered its verification language and singled out an account from a publication that Musk isn’t fond of.
The initial plan involved phasing out blue verification check marks granted under the old system, which prioritized safeguarding high-profile users vulnerable to impersonation. Musk introduced a solution where users must pay $8 per month to be part of the Twitter Blue subscription service to maintain their verification.
While most blue check holders discovered that their verification status remained, a new label clarifying that the account is verified due to Twitter Blue subscription surfaced. This switch in language made it ambiguous if verified accounts are notable individuals or merely users who paid for subscription. One notable account that did lose its blue check mark was the primary New York Times account, which refused to pay for verification.
Following a tweet about the New York Times’ defiance, Musk swiftly revoked their blue check and criticized the outlet’s coverage. This action underscores how Twitter’s frequent feature changes often cause confusion, impacting many prominent accounts and the platform’s appeal. The incident also exemplifies Musk’s whimsical influence on Twitter’s decisions over formal policies.
Although the New York Times’ main account lost its blue check, its content-specific accounts retained their verification. Twitter did not explain why the New York Times lacks a gold “organizations” check mark, unlike other news outlets. Despite inquiries, Twitter, which reduced its PR staff last year, did not provide any immediate clarifications.
In a surprising move, Twitter replaced its trademark blue bird logo with doge, the dogecoin meme, a cryptocurrency Musk endorses. This change coincided with a 20% surge in dogecoin’s value. Musk had threatened to revoke blue check marks from “legacy” users verified under Twitter’s old system shortly after acquiring the platform.
During the lead-up to the failed blue check purge, notable figures like William Shatner and Monica Lewinksy contested the idea of charging users for a safety feature meant to counter impersonation attempts. The introduction of the new verification label risks enabling scammers to exploit high-profile accounts. The move brings into question if paid verification would effectively combat bot presence on the platform, an issue Musk frequently addresses.
Musk has framed the modifications in Twitter’s verification system as a means to ensure equitable treatment for all users, including celebrities. He proposed the paid feature could drive revenue, which might alleviate his substantial debt following Twitter’s acquisition. Additionally, Musk announced that starting April 15, only verified accounts will be recommended in users’ “For You” feeds alongside their followed accounts.
CNN’s Oliver Darcy contributed to this insightful report, shedding light on Twitter’s recent verification upheaval.