Elon Musk’s Twitter account recently made headlines for stripping the blue verification checkmarks from several high-profile accounts. The move has sparked controversy and raised questions about who should be eligible for verification on the platform. On Thursday, Twitter initiated the process of removing verification checkmarks from thousands of accounts, as promised by its new owner, Elon Musk.
Twitter had previously provided blue checkmarks to journalists, celebrities, and other public officials for free to prevent impersonations and spam. These verification badges, which were meant to expire on April 1, are now being phased out as per the platform’s plan.
Twitter’s blue check marks, once a symbol of prestige and credibility, have bid adieu to ordinary users. Now, only those who have paid the price for Twitter Blue, businesses, officials, and government entities can flaunt the coveted badge. And if you happen to come across a blue tick, be prepared to read the label that reads, “This account is verified because they are subscribed to Twitter Blue and have verified their phone number.”
The rollout of the new verification policy on Twitter appeared to be quite a rollercoaster ride, as blue check marks vanished and reappeared randomly on some accounts. It seems like the digital universe was playing a game of hide-and-seek with the prestigious badges. Moreover, some well-known legacy verified accounts also seemed to hold onto their coveted blue ticks, at least initially, making one wonder if they were immune to the winds of change blowing across Twitter.
Although businesses and government organizations still have the option to apply for the verified status on Twitter, the reality is that their fate still hangs in the balance of the mercurial nature of Elon Musk.
The tech titan has been on a labeling spree lately, unleashing his dubious labels on reputable newsrooms such as the BBC and NPR, questioning their journalistic integrity and branding them as propaganda outlets. It appears that the Twitterverse is now under the sway of Musk’s unpredictable whims, leaving many wondering who’s next in line to be labeled as such.
