Sections of this topic
In this article, we’ll discuss why Elon Musk, the very wealthy person who owns Twitter, has decided to pick a final day for getting rid of old blue checkmarks.
We’ll also explore how this choice could affect people who use Twitter, famous individuals, and companies.
Key Takeaways:
- Elon Musk sets the deadline for legacy blue check removal as 4/20.
- Twitter users with legacy verified accounts will have to pay to keep their checkmarks.
- Twitter Blue subscription required to maintain blue checkmark status.
- Celebrities and organizations react to the new policy.
- Musk’s move aims to generate revenue for Twitter.
- Twitter now offers verification badges for businesses and organizations at a cost.
The Deadline: What’s Next for Legacy Blue Checks
Elon Musk has declared a final deadline for eliminating legacy blue checks from Twitter accounts previously verified under the platform’s old system.
Musk announced on Twitter that the last day for these legacy blue checks will be April 20th.
Twitter Blue: Subscription-Based Verification
Users with legacy blue checkmarks will now have to pay to maintain their verification status.
Those who subscribe to Twitter Blue, a subscription-based service, will keep their blue checkmarks. Twitter Blue pricing varies depending on the region and signup method.
Celebrity Reactions to the New Policy
Not all celebrities are happy about the change. LeBron James, for example, has openly stated that he will not be paying for verification.
Despite this, his account remains verified. Other high-profile individuals, such as Stephen King, have also expressed their reluctance to pay for their blue checkmarks.
Twitter’s Financial Motivations
The decision to shift to a paid verification system is an attempt by Musk to generate much-needed revenue for Twitter.
In response to Stephen King’s refusal to pay for verification, Musk tweeted, “We need to pay the bills somehow!”
Business and Organization Verification: Gold and Grey Badges
Twitter has introduced a program for businesses and organizations, offering gold badges for brands, companies, and nonprofits, and grey badges for governments.
The service will cost $1,000 per month.
Verification was initially introduced in 2009 to help users confirm the authenticity of high-profile accounts.
The Uncertain Future of Twitter Verification
Musk’s decision to remove legacy blue checkmarks on Twitter has not been a surprise. He has been talking about it for months, and his choice of April 20th as the deadline has drawn attention.
The change to Twitter Blue has led to confusion about who has paid for verification and who has not.
Reports suggest that only around 116,000 people have signed up for Twitter Blue, far short of the millions Musk needs for it to become a significant revenue source.
Some major organizations and celebrities have already stated they will not pay for the blue checkmark.
Musk has also been criticized for inaccurately describing organizations with the new gold checks.
For example, National Public Radio (NPR) was incorrectly labeled as “state affiliate media” and later as “government-funded.”
As Twitter moves forward with this plan, it may become difficult to distinguish between real, authoritative accounts and imposters.
The platform may soon be filled with verified accounts of people who simply paid to appear important, while genuine celebrities and other high-profile figures may lose their verified status.
It remains to be seen whether Musk will stick to the April 20th deadline or if the growing backlash against the policy will force a delay.
Conclusion
Elon Musk’s decision to set a final date for removing legacy blue checkmarks on Twitter has stirred reactions from users, celebrities, and organizations.
With the aim of generating revenue for the platform, the move requires users to subscribe to Twitter Blue to maintain their verified status.
As the deadline approaches, the question remains whether Musk will stick to the 4/20 date or if it will be pushed back due to increasing pushback from the Twitter community.
