Twitter, the popular social media platform, has been known for its verification badge system. This badge, also known as the blue tick, is an indication that an account is authentic and belongs to a public figure, celebrity, or reputable organisation. However, recent changes made by Twitter CEO, Elon Musk, have led to the removal of the New York Times’ verification badge.
The New York Times, one of the most prominent newspapers in the world, had objected to paying a mandatory monthly subscription fee of $1,000 to retain its verification badge. In response to the objection, Mr Musk swiftly took down the badge and launched a barrage of insults at the newspaper. The move has sparked controversy and raised concerns about the impact of such changes on other reputable organisations.
Mr Musk’s sweeping changes to Twitter since he purchased it in October 2022 have mandated organisations to pay a monthly fee to keep their verification badges. This move has been opposed by several other organisations, including CNN, Washington Post, and Los Angeles Times. If these organisations refuse to pay the fee, they may face the same fate as The Times, leading to the removal of their verification badges.
The removal of verification badges from popular organisations may make it easy for impostors to pose as legitimate ones, leading to confusion among Twitter users. It may also damage the reputation of reputable organisations that have worked hard to earn their verification badges.
In conclusion, the removal of The New York Times’ verification badge by Twitter CEO, Elon Musk, has raised concerns about the impact of the new subscription policy on reputable organisations. While it remains to be seen how other organisations will respond to the new policy, it is clear that the issue of verification badges on Twitter is far from over.