Elon Musk's plan for Twitter Blue appears to have backfired, with many users expecting a purge of blue check marks only to see one prominent account lose its verification. Instead of sweeping away the coveted badges, it seems Musk has singled out a single high-profile publication that he dislikes.
Twitter announced in April that it would be "winding down" the old blue checks system and replacing them with a new payment model for verified accounts. To stay verified, users had to pay $8 per month for Twitter Blue. However, instead of removing the existing verification marks, most legacy blue check holders found their badges unchanged but now labeled as "verified because it's subscribed to Twitter Blue or is a legacy verified account."
This subtle change has caused confusion among users and experts alike. While it may have reduced impersonation risks for some high-profile accounts, it could also make it easier for scammers to target verified users. Inauthentic behavior on the platform remains a significant concern.
Musk's intentions behind this move remain unclear, with his claims of treating everyone equally appearing to be at odds with the reality. By reserving verification for paid users only, Musk may be prioritizing revenue over fairness and safety. The price of Twitter Blue has already shot up 20% after Musk promoted dogecoin, highlighting the billionaire's continued focus on this cryptocurrency.
This latest development in Twitter's transformation under Musk highlights the ongoing struggles with user experience and trust. As the platform continues to evolve, it remains to be seen how effectively Musk will balance competing interests and priorities.
Twitter announced in April that it would be "winding down" the old blue checks system and replacing them with a new payment model for verified accounts. To stay verified, users had to pay $8 per month for Twitter Blue. However, instead of removing the existing verification marks, most legacy blue check holders found their badges unchanged but now labeled as "verified because it's subscribed to Twitter Blue or is a legacy verified account."
This subtle change has caused confusion among users and experts alike. While it may have reduced impersonation risks for some high-profile accounts, it could also make it easier for scammers to target verified users. Inauthentic behavior on the platform remains a significant concern.
Musk's intentions behind this move remain unclear, with his claims of treating everyone equally appearing to be at odds with the reality. By reserving verification for paid users only, Musk may be prioritizing revenue over fairness and safety. The price of Twitter Blue has already shot up 20% after Musk promoted dogecoin, highlighting the billionaire's continued focus on this cryptocurrency.
This latest development in Twitter's transformation under Musk highlights the ongoing struggles with user experience and trust. As the platform continues to evolve, it remains to be seen how effectively Musk will balance competing interests and priorities.