Aston Lukoye
In a move that has caused consternation and confusion on Twitter, the social media platform has begun removing blue verification check marks from users who have not signed up for its subscription service.
The move has seen blue checks disappearing from the accounts of journalists, academics, and celebrities alike, leaving many scratching their heads about the purpose and importance of the badge.
Importance of twitter blue check
Twitter has long used its blue verification check mark to indicate that an account is authentic and belongs to a public figure or notable individual. The badge was introduced as a way to combat the proliferation of fake accounts and impersonators on the platform, and it has become a sought-after symbol of legitimacy for many users.
My “legacy verified” checkmark is gone.
Still not paying. This was fun pic.twitter.com/Gwhg2v2jKX
— Larry Madowo (@LarryMadowo) April 20, 2023
However, the recent purge of blue checks has led to a backlash from those who believe that the badge is an important tool for building credibility and combating misinformation on the platform. Many journalists and academics, in particular, have expressed concern that the removal of their blue checks will make it harder for them to establish themselves as reliable sources of information.
The purge has also affected some of the most high-profile and widely followed accounts on the platform, including Kim Kardashian, Beyonce, Pope Francis, former President Donald Trump, and Twitter founder Jack Dorsey. Some accounts have seen their blue checks disappear and reappear multiple times, leading to speculation about the cause of the glitch.
Twitter defence
Despite the confusion and controversy surrounding the blue badge purge, Twitter has defended the move as a necessary step towards creating a more equitable and transparent platform. The company has stated that it wants to ensure that the blue check mark is only given to those who meet its criteria for verification, which include providing proof of identity and meeting certain standards of notability and activity on the platform.
https://twitter.com/BernardNdong/status/1649125229246009344
As the debate over the importance of the blue badge rages on, many users are left wondering whether Twitter’s decision to remove the checks will ultimately harm or help the platform’s efforts to combat misinformation and create a more trustworthy environment for its users. One thing is clear, however: the blue check mark has become a symbol of legitimacy and influence on Twitter, and its presence or absence can have a significant impact on the way that users engage with and perceive each other on the platform.
