According to Bloomberg, the microblogging platform, Twitter plans to start charging for the blue verification badges beginning next week. Verification badges were designed to combat bogus accounts, advance equality, and generate revenues.
Recently, many celebrities, prominent personalities, elected leaders, journalists, and activists have frequently received the verification badge. The purpose of this is to identify these prominent users and prevent impersonation.
Since Tesla CEO, Elon Musk took over Twitter for $44 billion last week, it has been a huge deal for many users of the platform especially as the new ‘Chief Twit’ has come up with a plethora of ideas for the microblogging site.
One of which is the implementation of a subscription model for verified users.
It appears that anyone with an extra $8 per month is now able to acquire it. Verified users who have the blue tick on their profile are obliged to renew this service each month at a price of $8. According to insider sources, these users also have one month to pay or lose their badges.
The introduction of this proposal has drawn a lot of criticism, but the billionaire has subsequently ignored some of these criticisms and has been aggressively supporting this notion.
In an effort to reframe the narrative, he has labelled this Twitter service as a “lords & peasant system.”
Read Also; 5 likely changes to expect as Elon Musk takeover at Twitter
The new rule for having a verification badge on Twitter
Many questioned what would happen to this new premium plan rule. But the Tesla CEO provided some clarification regarding this new rule. The verification fees will first be assessed based on the user’s country’s purchasing power.
The premium plan comes with a tonne of features as well. According to the billionaire, this would eliminate spam and scams since users will have priority in replies, mentions, and searches. Also, longer videos and audio can be posted by premium users, who also get access to fewer ads.
While Elon Musk may think this is a brilliant idea, some users who already own the verification badge are baffled by this choice and have pledged never to pay. They see this as an expensive and irrational act for the platform, which hasn’t done this in 16 years. Some people think this would jeopardize the legitimacy of the platform.
According to another Bloomberg report, top profile figure like the White House is undecisive about what to do next with this new rule and if it needs to pay also to retain its verification badge.
Despite the criticism, Elon Musk seems unfazed as he has constantly been making humorous tweets about the implementation of this new model and has been backed up by millions of followers who believe in this new rule.
They believe this will help tackle bots and spam accounts on the platform and some of them hope they will be able to purchase a verification badge for themselves and their business.
Read Also; Finally, Elon Musk buys Twitter for $44bn, fires CEO and CFO
Will it truly help against spam bot accounts?
While debating on users’ credibility as the verification badge option is now open to the general public. Elon Musk replied that if any verified accounts violate terms of service, eg spam/scam/impersonation, they’ll be suspended. For him, this is a win for Twitter as they will keep the money of these users regardless.
Also, as is presently the case for politicians, there will be a supplementary tag beneath the name for anyone who is a public figure.
Technext Newsletter
Get the best of Africa’s daily tech to your inbox – first thing every morning.
Join the community now!
