Notable Twitter accounts were stripped of their blue checkmarks in a surprising move by Twitter, leaving brands and celebrities unable to locate their verification status. This appears to align with Elon Musk‘s vision for the social media platform. While the removal of the coveted symbol of superiority is unlikely to be welcomed by most, it has been confirmed by journalists, politicians, and other high-profile figures.
Some users have reported that the symbol reappears when they refresh the page, suggesting that it may not be a permanent removal. The verification system serves to verify the authenticity of Twitter users for a particular account.
Twitter introduced the now-legendary Blue Checkmark some years back in response to legal action and public outcry over the proliferation of fake celebrity accounts on the platform. While the verification system still has its flaws, it has helped to curb the spread of false information. The Blue Checkmark can often be seen as a sort of endorsement from Twitter.
It’s unexpected that Twitter would take this action considering they already charge users $8 per month for the blue checkmark. The platform’s new CEO has been vocal in the past about the verification system being corrupt, bullshit, and akin to a lords and peasants system. Previously, famous celebrities and journalists were automatically given blue tags without having to go through the same verification process as regular users.
The great thing about the new rating system is that it doesn’t consider your level of fame or the number of followers you have. Twitter has been dropping hints since April 11th about doing away with the old blue checkmark. On April 1st, the platform revealed that it would be discontinuing its traditional verification program, and it has been gradually phasing out the blue checkmark ever since.
