Twitter Leaves Users Confused As Blue Verification Checkmarks Disappear
It appears Twitter chief Elon Musk has finally given the go-ahead to remove legacy verified checkmarks, as many users awoke to find the instantly-recognizable blue ticks were missing from profiles across the platform.
To have the checkmark reinstated, previously verified users will have to shell out US$8 per month, while businesses will receive a gold checkmark, and governments and organizations will be granted a gray tick without the need for a subscription.
😂😂 pic.twitter.com/83LlD3p8gE
— Halle Berry (@halleberry) April 20, 2023
According to Engadget, the iconic blue verification motif was first introduced to the site in 2009 to reduce the potential for famous individuals or brands to be impersonated.
Though, after Musk took over at the helm, he claimed many of the verified accounts were “corrupt,” and the system needed to give way to Twitter Blue as a way to “democratize” the checkmarks.
Unfortunately, it doesn’t seem the plan has gone off without a hitch. In recent weeks, major media outlets—including NPR and PBS—have ditched Twitter after being labeled as “government-funded media.”
Elmo will miss you, little blue check mark. But don’t worry everybody, Elmo is still Elmo! â¤ï¸
— Elmo (@elmo) April 20, 2023
Now, with the blue ticks gone for some of the application’s most followed individuals, such as Justin Bieber, Katy Perry, CNN’s Christiane Amanpour, and MSNBC’s Rachel Maddow, no one can tell at first glance who’s authentic.
Instead of being upset over losing the legacy checkmarks, most of the users who saw their verified status disappear took it in their stride, making light of the situation by cracking jokes about it.
My Twitter account says I’ve subscribed to Twitter Blue. I haven’t.
— Stephen King (@StephenKing) April 20, 2023
My Twitter account says I’ve given a phone number. I haven’t.
Interestingly, certain media personalities—author Stephen King, for example—were able to keep their blue checkmarks without subscribing to Twitter Blue, though when you click on the symbol, it says otherwise.
Musk said that some celebrities may have received a “complimentary Twitter Blue subscription” as he’s paying for them out of his own pocket. How the Head Twit determines who is or isn’t worthy of the free tick, no one knows.
Just Shatner, LeBron and King
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) April 21, 2023
[via Engadget and NBC News, cover image via Mikhail Primakov | Dreamstime.com]
