Twitter Removes Blue Checkmarks From Verified Accounts—Unless Users Pay

Topline

Twitter stripped its once-coveted blue checkmarks Thursday from accounts that were verified before Elon Musk took over the company, unless they pay for the company’s subscription service, making good on one of the billionaire’s top promises for the platform despite concerns it will fuel a wave of impersonations.

Key Facts

Key Background

Musk repeatedly stated one of his goals in buying Twitter was to “authenticate all real humans” on the platform, which he later claimed could only be accomplished through a subscription-based service requiring users to pay $8 a month in exchange for the blue checkmarks and a handful of other perks, like the ability to write longer tweets. Twitter started letting users pay for checkmarks in November, while it temporarily left blue checks on verified accounts—even as Musk repeatedly vowed to take them down, often clapping back at critics of the subscription plan by telling them things like: “Your feedback is appreciated, now pay $8.” Musk has said boosting subscriptions is a top priority for the company’s financial future, reportedly warning staff in November Twitter might go bankrupt without “significant subscription revenue.” Musk claimed last week the company has reached a “roughly breakeven” point and should soon become cash flow positive.

Contra

A rush of imposter accounts posing as figures like former President Donald Trump, basketball star LeBron James and Nintendo flooded the platform after Twitter started allowing for paid verification. Twitter has removed many of the fake accounts but problems persist, especially since the platform appears to do little to actually verify a paid users’ supposed identity. A Washington Post journalist, for instance, was able to impersonate Sen. Ed Markey (D-Mass.) on multiple occasions in an experiment the senator agreed to.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates.