Twitter's Revamped Blue Tick Rollout Marred By Spate Of Fake 'Verified' Accounts
Twitter's revamped blue tick services are now live for iOS users.
Twitter has rolled out a revamped Twitter Blue subscription service under the leadership of new CEO Elon Musk. The microblogging platform's subscription service is now available on iOS in India and other countries including Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the US, and the UK. After the Tesla chief's $44-billion takeover, the Twitter Blue change is poised as Elon Musk's first "signature" project. As per media reports, the previous version of the Twitter Blue subscription (priced at $4.99 per month) had just a little more than 100,000 active subscribers.
For those unaware, Twitter Blue is a special subscription service that provided users with additional perks such as the ability to undo tweets (within 30 seconds), add special bookmark folders, and more. The Twitter-verified blue tick mark wasn't a part of this plan. Verification of Twitter used to be free of cost, only requiring users to submit govt-approved IDs and some further URLs and details (in some cases) to get the much-coveted blue tick badge beside their username.
ALSO READ: Twitter Manager Who Went Viral For Sleeping At Office Survives Layoff
The new Twitter Blue plan, priced at $7.99 per month, has raised concerns among regular users of the platform. The latest version is supposed to give users many perks including, priority placement in replies, the ability to post longer videos, and 50 per cent fewer ads in the feed. However, the blue tick verification has also been made a part of this plan. So, new users can pay the said amount and get a blue tick badge. Additionally, already verified users who choose not to pay $7.99 will lose their verification badge within an expected period of 90 days.
This new blue tick mechanism has brought a new flock of fake handles onto the platform. Reportedly, a Twitter user impersonating NBA star LeBron James demanded a trade from the Los Angeles Lakers. Many users were fooled by the tweet because the account that posted it had a blue tick. The account was soon suspended.
Annnnd he’s suspended.
— Dread Pirate Roberts Mueller (@DreadMuller) November 9, 2022
Pour one out for chaos #Goat @kingjamez
Does he get his $8 bucks back?
Screenshot pic.twitter.com/oEeNdg7QXp
Users have reported the same has been happening with other celebrities as well.
🚨 EMERGENCY 🚨
— V STREAM 🐯💜 (@tetestream_) November 10, 2022
Recently there's a verified account pretend to be V aka Kim Taehyung on Twitter, we need to confirm that this is not the official acc from our boy! They just subscribed to Twitter Blue for the ticks and lot of us have followed this faker.
UNFOLLOW NOW! pic.twitter.com/28N9wVQqkn
As the value of the new blue tick is being questioned, users are also sharing their concerns via hilarious memes.
twitter users after paying 8$ for blue tick: pic.twitter.com/c2SfsLfvCS
— αdil (@ixadilx) November 10, 2022
yeah I could pay $8 to get verified on twitter (pathetic) or I could buy the call of duty combo from little caesars (hot n ready) pic.twitter.com/Qdpy5jmNQo
— 🌿 stick 🌿 (@briggityboppity) November 4, 2022
I just saw a verified account but they got 1 follower 😭
— WRITE A RAP 🎤 (@WriteARapSis) November 9, 2022
Verified ID's
— Rocky Bhai (@RockybhaiOffcl) November 10, 2022
Before Now pic.twitter.com/o7vvsgJZaN
If I see that verified check disappear next month ima know who’s really broke on here
— BASED SAVAGE (@crackcobain__) November 9, 2022
Some celebrities and personalities have also tweeted about their concerns about this new service. Here is what US businessmen Mark Cuban had to say:
@elonmusk, from one entrepreneur to another, for when you have your customer service hat on. I just spent too much time muting all the newly purchased checkmark accts in an attempt to make my verified mentions useful again. Hope this helps.
— Mark Cuban (@mcuban) November 10, 2022
Rapper Doja Cat, who recently changed her account name to “Christmas” is now regretting it, as she is having a hard time changing it back. Now she is asking for Musk’s help in changing her account handle.
i don’t wanna be christmas forever @elonmusk please help i’ve made a mistake
— christmas (@DojaCat) November 10, 2022
It remains to be seen what changes Twitter will bring to the table to sort out the seemingly backfiring revamp.
Top Headlines
