The topline
Elon Musk of Twitter provided additional details Friday on who would retain their blue checkmarks after the platform began revoking its legacy badges. The much-maligned decision was made to boost trust in the platform’s new, paid for verification system.
Elon Musk shared more details about how Twitter users can keep their blue legacy verification ticks.
The Key Facts
Any Twitter account linked to a verified organization will be “automatically verified,” Musk tweetedFreitag
According to Twitter’s website, verified organizations can nominate “any individual or entity associated with them” such as leadership, support handles, employees and brands.
Linked users will receive one of Twitter’s color-coded verification badges alongside an “affiliate badge,” a small image of the parent company’s profile picture that will take users directly to the affiliated organization if clicked, Twitter said.
Although organizations may nominate multiple affiliates, they can only have one user. costThey will be charged an additional $50 per month in addition to the $1000-per-month Verified Organizations subscription fee. Tax exempt.
Users who are not affiliated to an organisation that would like to be listed as affiliates can still keep their blue verification tick. purchasingYou can subscribe to Twitter Blue at $8 per month or $84 for a full year.
News Peg
Musk’s announcement comes as Twitter prepares to finally dismantle its “legacy” verified program, which on Thursday it said will begin “winding down” on April 1. The free program was used to authenticate “notable” accounts belonging to users like celebrities, politicians, influencers, and journalists, as well as accounts belonging to broader entities like companies, brands and governments. Musk was heavily criticised for replacing the previous system that required users to confirm their identity and affiliation with one that only validates those who subscribe. Although many features have been added to the system (called Twitter Blue), it is not yet available globally. While Musk has made his intention to do away with legacy verified accounts clear, the legacy system has remained in place for months following the platform’s disastrous early attempts to introduce paid verification. The lack of sufficient checks and balances caused havoc on the platform, which was overwhelmed by accounts pretending to represent high-profile figures such as former President Donald Trump, Nintendo, Nintendo and Nintendo. Musk and his auto company Tesla were also imitated.
What We Don’t Know
Musk claims that the end of legacy accounts is just around the corner, since he took control of Twitter in October. The billionaire is a well known troll and the date, April Fools’ Day, could indicate a joke or just weaving an amusing date into a business announcement. Musk used to weave jokes about the numbers of 420 and 1969 into his business announcements. The numbers are both popularly used to refer to marijuana or a sex act.
SME Valuation
$192.6 billion. That’s Musk’s estimated net worth, according to SME’Real-time tracker. Bernard Arnault (French luxury goods tycoon), who was succeeded by his son, SMEMusk is believed to be the world’s richest man, valued at $216.1 billion. Key portions of Musk’s wealth are tied to electric vehicle maker Tesla, which he cofounded and leads. Musk’s other ventures are also well-known, and often future-oriented, like SpaceX rocket company, The Boring Company tunneling business, and Neuralink brain tech firm.
Tangent
Meta, which is parent of Instagram, Facebook and Twitter, has launched its own U.S. paid verification system last week. Meta charges $11.99 per month for the subscription. On mobile, it costs $14.99. In Australia and New Zealand where the system is more popular, it was launched first. Meta said that the perk was not available in the United States at this time.
Additional Reading
Elon Musk Says Twitter Is Launching A New Color-Coded Verification Scheme Next Week — Here’s What We Know So Far (SME)
What Elon Musk’s Tweets did to unleash a tsunami of hatred (BBC).
