Twitter’s new label makes it hard to differentiate between legacy and paid verified accounts
TechCrunchDec 23, 2022
The Facts
Twitter has removed its verification check mark from the site's main profile of the New York Times.
Last month, Twitter owner Elon Musk announced that legacy verified users would have their blue ticks removed unless they paid the subscription fee for the site's new service, Twitter Blue, by April 1. It comes at a cost of $8 per month, while for organizations, the monthly rate is $1K.
The Spin
Narrative A
Musk should never have overhauled the legacy system, and his latest decision is a direct assault on the New York Times — a publication for which he's openly aired his dislike. After deciding to remove their verification, he hurled abuse at them, accusing them of spreading propaganda and stating that "their feed is the Twitter equivalent of diarrhea."
Narrative B
Twitter gave plenty of warning that those who failed to subscribe to the new service would lose their blue tick. The New York Times may be the first, but it won't be the last. The new subscription service — which also offers additional features such as the ability to edit tweets — is fairer than the classist old system and will rightly increase revenue.
Narrative C
While the issue surrounding legacy verification check marks sorts itself out, an immediate consequence is that it's no longer possible to distinguish between profiles that deserved the verification and those who paid for it. Celebrities and public figures often relied on check marks to avoid being confused with imposters. That reassurance is no longer available.
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