Elon Musk's Plan for Twitter Verification Wasn't Always About Purging Legacy Blue Checks
When Elon Musk announced a plan to "wind down" the blue check marks granted under Twitter's old verification system, many users expected their coveted badges to disappear. However, instead of a broad purge, Twitter appears to have targeted one high-profile account from a major publication that Musk dislikes.
Under Twitter's new system, users would need to pay $8 per month to join the platform's Twitter Blue subscription service and stay verified. The change was supposed to begin on April 1, with users receiving a new label reading: "This account is verified because it's subscribed to Twitter Blue or is a legacy verified account." While this change does provide more transparency about verification processes, it also raises questions about what constitutes a notable individual versus someone who has paid for the service.
The main account of The New York Times lost its blue check mark over the weekend after Musk tweeted that he would "take it off then" in response to an account from the Times posting a meme about declining to pay for verification. This move is just the latest example of Twitter's tendency to create confusion and whiplash for users, particularly high-profile accounts.
Musk has been threatening to take away legacy blue check marks since he bought Twitter last fall. He claims that this change will help "treat everyone equally," but it also raises concerns about the potential for impersonation and bots on the platform. Some experts argue that reserving verification for paid users may not be an effective solution, as it doesn't address the underlying issues of inauthentic behavior.
The recent move to replace Twitter's blue bird logo with doge, a meme representing the cryptocurrency dogecoin, has also added to the confusion. The price of dogecoin surged 20% on Monday, and it's unclear what significance this change holds for Twitter users.
Ultimately, Musk's plan for Twitter verification seems to be driven by his own whims rather than a clear policy. As he continues to shape the platform in his image, it remains to be seen how this will impact users and the integrity of the site.
When Elon Musk announced a plan to "wind down" the blue check marks granted under Twitter's old verification system, many users expected their coveted badges to disappear. However, instead of a broad purge, Twitter appears to have targeted one high-profile account from a major publication that Musk dislikes.
Under Twitter's new system, users would need to pay $8 per month to join the platform's Twitter Blue subscription service and stay verified. The change was supposed to begin on April 1, with users receiving a new label reading: "This account is verified because it's subscribed to Twitter Blue or is a legacy verified account." While this change does provide more transparency about verification processes, it also raises questions about what constitutes a notable individual versus someone who has paid for the service.
The main account of The New York Times lost its blue check mark over the weekend after Musk tweeted that he would "take it off then" in response to an account from the Times posting a meme about declining to pay for verification. This move is just the latest example of Twitter's tendency to create confusion and whiplash for users, particularly high-profile accounts.
Musk has been threatening to take away legacy blue check marks since he bought Twitter last fall. He claims that this change will help "treat everyone equally," but it also raises concerns about the potential for impersonation and bots on the platform. Some experts argue that reserving verification for paid users may not be an effective solution, as it doesn't address the underlying issues of inauthentic behavior.
The recent move to replace Twitter's blue bird logo with doge, a meme representing the cryptocurrency dogecoin, has also added to the confusion. The price of dogecoin surged 20% on Monday, and it's unclear what significance this change holds for Twitter users.
Ultimately, Musk's plan for Twitter verification seems to be driven by his own whims rather than a clear policy. As he continues to shape the platform in his image, it remains to be seen how this will impact users and the integrity of the site.
like what's the point of all these changes? cant they just let us use the app without all the drama 
$8 a month for a blue checkmark? that's just crazy talk 
and btw, i think its sus that he took away the nytimes' badge after they posted some meme 
just another example of musk being...musk 
... one high-profile account loses their blue check mark and suddenly everyone's all bent outta shape 
. I mean, what's next? Are we gonna start paying to see if our tweets are real or not? 
. Musk's plan was always gonna be a bit sketchy, but now it feels like he's just messing with people's heads 
. First, they change the whole verification system, then suddenly pick a random account from The New York Times to take away its blue check mark over a meme lol 
. It just feels like Musk is doing whatever he wants without thinking about how it affects regular users or even experts. I mean, reserving verification for paid subs might not be the best idea if you ask me 
Elon Musk's latest move is getting everyone on edge 
. I mean, what even is the criteria for being verified now? $8/month might sound like a lot to some, but I guess it's better than having no verification at all 
. Next thing you know, he'll be changing Twitter's name to something even more out there 
.
what's next, is he gonna take away dogecoin too lol? 
anyway i'm just worried about how this is affecting users, does anyone really think this is going to treat everyone equally? i don't think so... 
I'm not sure if I'm for or against Elon Musk's plan, but one thing's for sure - it's got everyone on edge 
. And can we please clarify what's going on with the dogecoin logo? Is this really necessary? 
anywayz i do feel bad for nytimes tho, they been a major part of twitters history and its sad 2 see them losin that prestige
. anyone else think he's just trolling us at this point? 
And have you seen the price of dogecoin lately? It's like Musk is trying to make a quick buck off his own platform 
. But on the other hand, it's still just a number and doesn't necessarily mean someone is trustworthy or authentic.
. I guess only time will tell if this plan really makes Twitter more equitable and trustworthy, but so far, I'm skeptical 
He's always been a game-changer, you know? Like, who would've thought he'd take over Twitter in the first place? And now, with this whole verification thing, it's like he's giving users a say in what they want to see on their timeline. Plus, think about how cool it'll be when we can just pay for our blue check marks 
It's not all bad, right? I mean, sure, there are some concerns about impersonation and bots, but I'm sure Musk's got a plan for that too 
they're already dealing with so much stress what's next? will all the other major accounts get their blue check marks yanked too?! it's like, can't we just have some stability on this platform for once? 
and seriously, 8 bucks a month is kinda steep... i mean, i love twitter as much as the next person, but come on elon! can't we find a way to make verification more inclusive without making it all about who's got cash 
. But at the same time, I'm all about transparency and fairness, so if you can't afford the $8/month fee, shouldn't your blue check mark still be valid? 
. I mean, who thought it was a good idea to change the logo and have it drive up the price of some meme-coin by 20%? 
. It's like he's making it up as he goes along and expecting everyone to follow along 
. We need a plan that prioritizes user safety and authenticity, not some arbitrary verification system that can be bought with cash