On the eve of Twitter's April 1 ultimatum that would strip verified accounts of their blue tick if they didn't pay up, Elon Musk defended his controversial pay model for the platform. Musk argued that social media platforms that did not adopt similar measures would be overrun by bots, as it's easy to create thousands of fake accounts using modern AI. Musk emphasized the importance of the verified badge and its requirement of a reputable phone carrier and credit card. He predicted that any social media network that failed to implement these measures would ultimately fail. The new policy puts pressure on companies, journalists, and celebrities who rely on Twitter as their main communication channel and credibility marker. However, the change also raises concerns about the possibility of imposters and pranksters purchasing fake verified accounts.
Twitter Blue, the subscription plan in the US, costs $8 a month or $84 a year, and $11 a month if purchased through Apple's app store. The blue tick or checkmark, created in 2009, became a signature element that helped establish Twitter as a trusted platform for news makers and campaigners. However, Elon Musk and his supporters argue that the blue tick is a symbol of an unfair class system, as it was decided by a secretive procedure. When Musk took ownership of Twitter last year, he made the decision to open up the blue tick to paying subscribers, but the overhaul didn't go as planned.
After Elon Musk's decision to open up the blue tick to paying subscribers, Twitter was quickly flooded by fake yet verified accounts impersonating celebrities, major companies, and even Musk himself. In response, Musk swiftly backtracked, but many advertisers left the site, depriving Twitter of a significant source of income that the CEO is struggling to replace. Currently, the blue checks of celebrities like Justin Bieber and Cristiano Ronaldo are tagged on the site as "legacy" accounts. The issue of verified accounts also affects officials, charities, and news media companies.
The White House has stated that it will not pay to keep its staff's official Twitter profiles verified with a blue tick, as the platform's new policy takes effect. Under Elon Musk's new system, news media companies, firms, and charities have already lost their blue tick and have been tagged as verified business accounts. These accounts are subject to a fee of $1,000 a month in the United States, with an additional $50 for each affiliated account, according to Twitter's website. The high cost of the new policy is concerning for those who cannot afford it, as noted by Andrew Stroehlein, European Media Director of Human Rights Watch, who stated that his group would not pay for the privilege.
Andrew Stroehlein has expressed concern that Twitter's new policy will harm local activists, including human rights activists, who rely on the platform for grassroots organizing. The New York Times has stated that it will not pay for a verified business account, and will only subscribe for a blue tick when it is essential for reporting needs. Facebook is also testing a "pay to play" verification model in Australia and New Zealand, which has drawn criticism. Elon Musk's ability to find a sustainable business model for Twitter is crucial, as last week he estimated the platform's current value at $20 billion, less than half of what he paid for it just five months ago.