Twitter verification

In June 2009, after being criticized by Kanye West and sued by Tony La Russa over unauthorized accounts run by impersonators, the company launched their "Verified Accounts" program.{{cite web|url=https://blog.twitter.com/official/en_us/a/2009/not-playing-ball.html|title=Not Playing Ball|first=Biz|last=Stone|date=June 6, 2009|website=Twitter|access-date=September 22, 2021|archive-date=April 27, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190427151225/https://blog.twitter.com/official/en_us/a/2009/not-playing-ball.html|url-status=live}}{{cite news|last=Kanalley|first=Craig|title=Why Twitter Verifies Users: The History Behind the Blue Checkmark|url=https://huffingtonpost.com/craig-kanalley/twitter-verified-accounts_b_2863282.html|access-date=June 9, 2014|work=Huffington Post|date=March 12, 2013|archive-date=September 27, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180927015328/https://www.huffingtonpost.com/craig-kanalley/twitter-verified-accounts_b_2863282.html|url-status=live}} Twitter stated that an account with a "blue tick" verification badge indicates "we've been in contact with the person or entity the account is representing and verified that it is approved".{{cite web|last=Cashmore|first=Pete|title=Twitter Launches Verified Accounts|website=Mashable|url=http://mashable.com/2009/06/11/twitter-verified-accounts-2/|date=June 11, 2009|access-date=June 9, 2014|archive-date=April 16, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190416180545/https://mashable.com/2009/06/11/twitter-verified-accounts-2/|url-status=live}} After the beta period, the company stated in their FAQ that it "proactively verifies accounts on an ongoing basis to make it easier for users to find who they're looking for" and that they "do not accept requests for verification from the general public".{{cite web|url=https://support.twitter.com/groups/31-twitter-basics/topics/111-features/articles/119135-about-verified-accounts|title=FAQs about verified accounts|url-status=bot: unknown|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160719090643/https://support.twitter.com/groups/31-twitter-basics/topics/111-features/articles/119135-about-verified-accounts|archive-date=July 19, 2016}}

Originally, Twitter took on the responsibility of reaching out to celebrities and other notable people to confirm their identities in order to establish a verified account.{{Cite book|last=Warfield|first=Katie|title=Mediated Interfaces: The Body on Social Media|publisher=Bloomsbury|pages=55}}

In July 2016, Twitter announced a public application process to grant verified status to an account "if it is determined to be of public interest" and that verification "does not imply an endorsement".{{cite web|url=https://support.twitter.com/groups/31-twitter-basics/topics/111-features/articles/119135-about-verified-accounts|title=About verified accounts|url-status=bot: unknown|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160720094013/https://support.twitter.com/groups/31-twitter-basics/topics/111-features/articles/119135-about-verified-accounts|archive-date=July 20, 2016}}{{cite web|url=https://blog.twitter.com/official/en_us/a/2016/announcing-an-application-process-for-verified-accounts-0.html|title=Announcing an Application Process for Verified Accounts|date=July 19, 2016|website=Twitter|access-date=September 22, 2021|archive-date=June 21, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190621141545/https://blog.twitter.com/official/en_us/a/2016/announcing-an-application-process-for-verified-accounts-0.html|url-status=live}}{{cite magazine|url=https://www.wired.co.uk/article/how-to-get-verified-twitter-uk-account-blue-tick|title=Twitter opens verification to all|first=Matt|last=Burgess|magazine=Wired|date=July 20, 2016|access-date=September 16, 2016|archive-date=April 27, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190427150245/https://www.wired.co.uk/article/how-to-get-verified-twitter-uk-account-blue-tick|url-status=live}} In 2016, the company began accepting requests for verification, but it was discontinued the same year. Twitter explained that the volume of requests for verified accounts had exceeded its ability to cope; rather, Twitter determines on its own whom to approach about verified accounts, limiting verification to accounts which are "authentic, notable, and active".{{Cite web|last=Delo|first=Cotton|date=2012-01-10|title=One Way to Get a Twitter 'Verified Account': Buy Ads|url=https://adage.com/article/digital/a-twitter-verified-account-buy-ads/231984|url-status=live|access-date=2021-02-03|website=Ad Age|archive-date=2021-02-08|df=mdy-all|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210208221027/https://adage.com/article/digital/a-twitter-verified-account-buy-ads/231984}}{{Cite web|title=About verified accounts|url=https://help.twitter.com/en/managing-your-account/about-twitter-verified-accounts|url-status=live|access-date=2021-02-03|website=help.twitter.com|archive-date=2017-12-05|df=mdy-all|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171205180212/https://support.twitter.com/articles/119135}}

In November 2020, Twitter announced a relaunch of its verification system in 2021. According to the new policy, Twitter verifies six different types of accounts; for three of them (companies, brands, and influential individuals like activists), the existence of a Wikipedia page will be one criterion for showing that the account has "Off Twitter Notability".{{cite web|last=Harrison|first=Stephen|date=December 4, 2020|title=Twitter Wants to Use Wikipedia to Help Determine Who Gets a Blue Checkmark|url=https://slate.com/technology/2020/12/twitter-checkmark-verification-wikipedia-notability.html|access-date=December 4, 2020|website=Slate Magazine|archive-date=March 25, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210325175408/https://slate.com/technology/2020/12/twitter-checkmark-verification-wikipedia-notability.html|url-status=live}}

On June 21, 2014, actor William Shatner raised an issue with several Engadget editorial staff and their verification status on Twitter. Besides the site's social media editor, John Colucci, Shatner also targeted several junior members of the staff for being "nobodies", unlike some of his actor colleagues who did not bear such distinction. Shatner claimed Colucci and the team were bullying him when giving a text interview to Mashable.{{cite web|last=Ulanoff|first=Lance|url=http://mashable.com/2014/06/24/william-shatner-twitter-verified/|title=William Shatner: My Problem With Twitter's Verified Accounts|work=Engadget|date=June 24, 2014|access-date=August 17, 2014|archive-date=August 19, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140819083206/http://mashable.com/2014/06/24/william-shatner-twitter-verified/|url-status=live}} Over a month later, Shatner continued to discuss the issue on his Tumblr page,{{cite web|last=Shatner|first=William|url=http://williamshatner.tumblr.com/post/93274499035/abusing-verification-segueing-with-shatner|title=Abusing Verification – Segueing with Shatner|work=Engadget|date=July 29, 2014|access-date=August 17, 2014|archive-date=August 19, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140819102930/http://williamshatner.tumblr.com/post/93274499035/abusing-verification-segueing-with-shatner|url-status=live}} to which Engadget replied by defending its team and discussing the controversy surrounding the social media verification.{{cite web|last=Lee|first=Nicole|url=https://www.engadget.com/2014/07/31/the-perks-of-being-somebody-online/|title=The perks of being 'somebody' online|work=Engadget|date=July 31, 2014|access-date=August 27, 2017|archive-date=September 13, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170913124333/https://www.engadget.com/2014/07/31/the-perks-of-being-somebody-online/|url-status=live}}

Twitter's practice and process for verifying accounts came under scrutiny again in 2017 after the company verified the account of white supremacist and far-right political activist, Jason Kessler. Many who criticized Twitter's decision to verify Kessler's account saw this as a political act on the company's behalf.{{Cite news|last=Bowles|first=Nellie|date=2017-11-09|title=Twitter, Facing Another Uproar, Pauses Its Verification Process|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2017/11/09/technology/jason-kessler-twitter-verification.html|access-date=2021-04-16|df=mdy-all|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=2021-04-16|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210416055131/https://www.nytimes.com/2017/11/09/technology/jason-kessler-twitter-verification.html|url-status=live}} In response, Twitter put its verification process on hold. The company tweeted, "Verification was meant to authenticate identity & voice but it is interpreted as an endorsement or an indicator of importance. We recognize that we have created this confusion and need to resolve it. We have paused all general verifications while we work and will report back soon."{{Cite tweet|number=928654369771356162|user=twittersupport|title=Verification was meant to authenticate identity & voice but it is interpreted as an endorsement or an indicator of importance. We recognize that we have created this confusion and need to resolve it. We have paused all general verifications while we work and will report back soon|date=November 9, 2017|access-date=2021-04-16|df=mdy-all}}

As of November 2017, Twitter continued to deny verification of Julian Assange's account following his requests.{{cite magazine|title=Twitter's Authentication Policy Is a Verified Mess|url=https://www.wired.com/story/twitters-authentication-policy-is-a-verified-mess/|date=November 10, 2017|first=Nitasha|last=Tiku|magazine=Wired|access-date=September 22, 2021|archive-date=August 28, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180828174246/https://www.wired.com/story/twitters-authentication-policy-is-a-verified-mess/|url-status=live}}

In November 2019, Dalit activists of India alleged that higher-caste people get Twitter verification easily and trended hashtags #CancelAllBlueTicksInIndia and #CasteistTwitter.{{Cite news|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/magazines/panache/cancelallblueticksinindia-trends-on-twitter-netizens-slam-caste-based-discrimination/articleshow/71939831.cms?from=mdr|title=#CancelAllBlueTicksInIndia trends on Twitter, netizens slam caste-based discrimination|date=November 6, 2019|work=The Economic Times|access-date=February 6, 2020|archive-date=March 8, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210308163247/https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/magazines/panache/cancelallblueticksinindia-trends-on-twitter-netizens-slam-caste-based-discrimination/articleshow/71939831.cms?from=mdr|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.thequint.com/news/india/twitter-trend-cancelallblueticksinindia-dalits-accuse-twitter-of-casteism-discrimination|title=#cancelallBlueTicksinIndia Trends As Twitter Faces Caste Storm|date=November 6, 2019|website=The Quint|language=en|access-date=February 6, 2020|archive-date=March 8, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210308155207/https://www.thequint.com/news/india/twitter-trend-cancelallblueticksinindia-dalits-accuse-twitter-of-casteism-discrimination|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.freepressjournal.in/india/why-dalit-activists-are-furious-with-casteist-twitter|title=Why Dalit activists are furious with 'casteist' Twitter|website=Free Press Journal|language=en|access-date=February 6, 2020|archive-date=March 8, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210308060835/https://www.freepressjournal.in/india/why-dalit-activists-are-furious-with-casteist-twitter|url-status=live}} Critics have said that the company's verification process is not transparent and causes digital marginalisation of already marginalised communities.{{Cite web|url=https://thewire.in/caste/twitter-casteism-2|title='The Blue Janeu': As Critics Cry 'Casteism', Twitter Ducks for Cover|website=The Wire|access-date=February 6, 2020|archive-date=March 2, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210302113808/https://thewire.in/caste/twitter-casteism-2|url-status=live}} Twitter India rejected the allegations, calling them "impartial" and working on a "{{nowrap|case-by-case}}" policy.{{Cite web|url=https://www.freepressjournal.in/india/twitter-reacts-to-accusations-of-caste-bias-says-its-impartial|title=Twitter reacts to accusations of caste bias, says it's 'impartial'|website=Free Press Journal|language=en|access-date=February 6, 2020|archive-date=March 8, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210308085832/https://www.freepressjournal.in/india/twitter-reacts-to-accusations-of-caste-bias-says-its-impartial|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.news18.com/news/tech/twitter-cites-case-by-case-verification-policy-as-casteism-allegations-ravage-platform-2376813.html|title=Twitter Cites 'Case-By-Case' Verification Policy as Casteism Allegations Ravage Platform|website=News18|date=November 7, 2019|access-date=February 6, 2020|archive-date=March 8, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210308141414/https://www.news18.com/news/tech/twitter-cites-case-by-case-verification-policy-as-casteism-allegations-ravage-platform-2376813.html|url-status=live}}

Following the acquisition of Twitter by Elon Musk on October 28, 2022, Musk told Twitter employees to introduce paid verification by November 7 through Twitter Blue. The Verge reported that the updated Blue subscription would cost $19.99 per month, and users would lose their verification status if they did not join within 90 days.{{Cite web|url=https://www.theverge.com/2022/10/30/23431931/twitter-paid-verification-elon-musk-blue-monthly-subscription|title=Twitter is planning to start charging $20 per month for verification|date=October 30, 2022|last=Heath|first=Alex|work=The Verge|access-date=October 30, 2022|archive-date=December 24, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221224195748/https://www.theverge.com/2022/10/30/23431931/twitter-paid-verification-elon-musk-blue-monthly-subscription|url-status=live}}{{cite web|last1=Spangler|first1=Todd|title=Elon Musk Reportedly Wants Twitter Verified Users to Pay $20 per Month — or Lose Their Blue Check Marks|url=https://variety.com/2022/digital/news/twitter-verified-users-subscription-price-blue-check-mark-musk-1235418285/|website=Variety|access-date=10 November 2022|date=31 October 2022|archive-date=10 November 2022|df=mdy-all|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221110043949/https://variety.com/2022/digital/news/twitter-verified-users-subscription-price-blue-check-mark-musk-1235418285/|url-status=live}}{{cite web|last1=Humphries|first1=Matthew|title=Twitter Expected to Start Charging $20 Per Month for a Blue Checkmark|url=https://www.pcmag.com/news/twitter-expected-to-start-charging-20-per-month-for-a-blue-checkmark|website=PCMAG|date=31 October 2022 |access-date=10 November 2022|archive-date=10 November 2022|df=mdy-all|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221110044010/https://www.pcmag.com/news/twitter-expected-to-start-charging-20-per-month-for-a-blue-checkmark|url-status=live}} Following backlash, Musk tweeted, in response to author Stephen King,{{Cite tweet|author=Elon Musk|user=elonmusk|number=1587312517679878144|title=@StephenKing We need to pay the bills somehow! Twitter cannot rely entirely on advertisers. How about $8?}} a lowered $8 price on {{nowrap|November 1, 2022}}.{{cite web|last1=Spangler|first1=Todd|title=Elon Musk Suggests Charging $8 per Month for Twitter Verification After Backlash to Reported $20 Fee|url=https://variety.com/2022/digital/news/elon-musk-suggests-8-dollars-per-month-twitter-verification-backlash-1235419369/|website=Variety|access-date=10 November 2022|date=1 November 2022|archive-date=10 November 2022|df=mdy-all|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221110043950/https://variety.com/2022/digital/news/elon-musk-suggests-8-dollars-per-month-twitter-verification-backlash-1235419369/|url-status=live}}{{cite web|last1=Assaly|first1=Richie|title=Elon Musk's plans to charge $8 a month for verification on Twitter receives heavy backlash|url=https://www.thestar.com/business/2022/11/02/elon-musks-plans-to-charge-8-a-month-for-verification-on-twitter-is-receiving-backlash.html|website=thestar.com|access-date=10 November 2022|date=2 November 2022|archive-date=10 November 2022|df=mdy-all|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221110043950/https://www.thestar.com/business/2022/11/02/elon-musks-plans-to-charge-8-a-month-for-verification-on-twitter-is-receiving-backlash.html|url-status=live}} Twitter confirmed the new price of $7.99 per month on November 5, 2022.{{cite web|last1=Wiggers|first1=Kyle|title=Twitter begins rolling out $7.99 Twitter Blue plan with verification, fewer ads|url=https://techcrunch.com/2022/11/05/twitter-begins-rolling-out-7-99-twitter-blue-plan-with-verification-fewer-ads/|website=TechCrunch|access-date=6 November 2022|date=5 November 2022|archive-date=5 November 2022|df=mdy-all|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221105232258/https://techcrunch.com/2022/11/05/twitter-begins-rolling-out-7-99-twitter-blue-plan-with-verification-fewer-ads/|url-status=live}}{{cite web|last1=Roth|first1=Emma|title=Elon Musk's $7.99 Twitter Blue with verification is 'coming soon' on iOS|url=https://www.theverge.com/2022/11/5/23442149/twitter-blue-checkmark-ios-update-elon-musk|website=The Verge|access-date=6 November 2022|date=5 November 2022|archive-date=6 November 2022|df=mdy-all|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221106015154/https://www.theverge.com/2022/11/5/23442149/twitter-blue-checkmark-ios-update-elon-musk|url-status=live}} The new verification system began rollout on {{nowrap|November 9, 2022}}, a day after the 2022 United States elections.{{cite web|last1=O'Sullivan|first1=Donie|last2=Korn|first2=Jennifer|title=Elon Musk delays $8 'blue check' Twitter verification plan until after the midterms {{!}} CNN Business|url=https://www.cnn.com/2022/11/06/tech/twitter-verification-delay-midterms/index.html|website=CNN|access-date=9 November 2022|date=6 November 2022|archive-date=8 November 2022|df=mdy-all|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221108173944/https://www.cnn.com/2022/11/06/tech/twitter-verification-delay-midterms/index.html|url-status=live}} The decision to delay its rollout was to address concerns about users potentially spreading misinformation about voting results by posing as news outlets and lawmakers.{{cite web|last1=Mac|first1=Ryan|last2=Conger|first2=Kate|last3=Isaac|first3=Mike|title=Twitter Is Said to Delay Changes to Check Mark Badges Until After Midterms|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2022/11/06/technology/twitter-verification-check-marks.html?smtyp=cur&smid=tw-nytimes|website=The New York Times|access-date=9 November 2022|date=6 November 2022|archive-date=9 November 2022|df=mdy-all|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221109201014/https://www.nytimes.com/2022/11/06/technology/twitter-verification-check-marks.html?smtyp=cur&smid=tw-nytimes|url-status=live}}

At the same time, Twitter introduced a secondary gray "Official" label on some high-profile accounts, but removed them hours after launch.{{cite web|last1=Wile|first1=Rob|title=Twitter launches $7.99 subscription, which lets users pay for a checkmark|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/business/business-news/twitter-adds-removes-gray-official-tag-big-accounts-rcna56392|website=NBC News|date=9 November 2022|access-date=9 November 2022|archive-date=9 November 2022|df=mdy-all|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221109174004/https://www.nbcnews.com/business/business-news/twitter-adds-removes-gray-official-tag-big-accounts-rcna56392|url-status=live}}{{cite web|last1=Sato|first1=Mia|title=Twitter's new double-check verification disappears, Elon Musk says he 'killed it'|url=https://www.theverge.com/2022/11/9/23449422/elon-musk-twitter-blue-official-verified-gray-checks-disappear|website=The Verge|access-date=9 November 2022|date=9 November 2022|archive-date=9 November 2022|df=mdy-all|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221109174212/https://www.theverge.com/2022/11/9/23449422/elon-musk-twitter-blue-official-verified-gray-checks-disappear|url-status=live}}{{Cite tweet|author=Elon Musk|user=elonmusk|number=1590383366213611522|title=@MKBHD I just killed it}} Less than 48 hours later, Twitter reinstated the gray "Official" label,{{Cite web|date=November 11, 2022|title=Twitter Blue signups unavailable after problems with fake accounts|url=https://www.abc10.com/article/news/nation-world/twitter-gray-official-labels-return-for-some/507-c13e9cf4-0ae2-47fd-a04c-badc0b0eb65d|access-date=2022-11-12|website=abc10.com|archive-date=2022-11-30|df=mdy-all|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221130020051/https://www.abc10.com/article/news/nation-world/twitter-gray-official-labels-return-for-some/507-c13e9cf4-0ae2-47fd-a04c-badc0b0eb65d|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|title=Twitter brings back "official" label after verified impersonator accounts run wild|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/twitter-official-label-elon-musk-impersonation/|access-date=2022-11-11|website=www.cbsnews.com|date=11 November 2022|archive-date=2022-12-26|df=mdy-all|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221226075936/https://www.cbsnews.com/news/twitter-official-label-elon-musk-impersonation/|url-status=live}} after multiple users were suspended for deliberately impersonating reporters and high-profile athletes like LeBron James.{{cite web|last1=Tolentino|first1=Daysia|last2=Rosenblatt|first2=Kalhan|title=Lebron James and other athletes impersonated by verified Twitter accounts|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/tech/lebron-james-athletes-impersonated-verified-twitter-accounts-rcna56483|website=NBC News|date=9 November 2022|access-date=9 November 2022|archive-date=9 November 2022|df=mdy-all|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221109214345/https://www.nbcnews.com/tech/lebron-james-athletes-impersonated-verified-twitter-accounts-rcna56483|url-status=live}}{{cite web|last1=Marcin|first1=Tim|title=People started spreading fake news on Twitter the instant they could buy a blue check|url=https://mashable.com/article/fake-news-blue-check-tweets-verification|website=Mashable|access-date=9 November 2022|date=9 November 2022|archive-date=9 November 2022|df=mdy-all|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221109220247/http://mashable.com/article/fake-news-blue-check-tweets-verification|url-status=live}} A viral tweet from an account purporting to be the pharmaceutical company Eli Lilly and Company caused the company's stock to fall after announcing "insulin is free now".{{cite web|last1=DiBenedetto|first1=Chase|title=Insulin producer Eli Lilly sees stock drop because of a fake blue check tweet|url=https://mashable.com/article/eli-lilly-stock-dip-twitter|website=Mashable|access-date=14 November 2022|date=12 November 2022|archive-date=13 November 2022|df=mdy-all|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221113235104/https://mashable.com/article/eli-lilly-stock-dip-twitter|url-status=live}}{{cite web|last1=Lee|first1=Bruce Y.|title=Fake Eli Lilly Twitter Account Claims Insulin Is Free, Stock Falls 4.37%|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/brucelee/2022/11/12/fake-eli-lilly-twitter-account-claims-insulin-is-free-stock-falls-43/?sh=15b147b941a3|website=Forbes|access-date=14 November 2022|archive-date=15 November 2022|df=mdy-all|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221115001100/https://www.forbes.com/sites/brucelee/2022/11/12/fake-eli-lilly-twitter-account-claims-insulin-is-free-stock-falls-43/?sh=15b147b941a3|url-status=live}}{{cite news|last1=Harwell|first1=Drew|title=A fake tweet sparked panic at Eli Lilly and may have cost Twitter millions|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2022/11/14/twitter-fake-eli-lilly/|newspaper=The Washington Post|access-date=15 November 2022|archive-date=15 November 2022|df=mdy-all|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221115000423/https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2022/11/14/twitter-fake-eli-lilly/|url-status=live}} As a result, Twitter disabled new Blue subscriptions on {{nowrap|November 11, 2022}}.{{cite web|last1=Zahn|first1=Max|title=Twitter's $8 verification option appears to be unavailable for some users|url=https://abcnews.go.com/Business/twitters-verification-option-appears-unavailable-users/story?id=93116125|website=ABC News|access-date=11 November 2022|date=11 November 2022|archive-date=11 November 2022|df=mdy-all|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221111192244/https://abcnews.go.com/Business/twitters-verification-option-appears-unavailable-users/story?id=93116125|url-status=live}}{{cite web|last1=Ray|first1=Siladitya|title=Twitter Blue: Signups For Paid Verification Appear Suspended After Impersonator Chaos|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/siladityaray/2022/11/11/twitter-blue-new-signups-for-paid-verification-appear-suspended-after-impersonator-chaos/?sh=788be97e385c|website=Forbes|access-date=11 November 2022|date=11 November 2022|archive-date=11 November 2022|df=mdy-all|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221111202451/https://www.forbes.com/sites/siladityaray/2022/11/11/twitter-blue-new-signups-for-paid-verification-appear-suspended-after-impersonator-chaos/?sh=788be97e385c|url-status=live}}

On December 12, 2022, Twitter Blue was relaunched again with some changes, including an increased price of $11 for users who sign up through iOS devices to compensate for the 30% cut imposed by Apple.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-63938566|title=Twitter's paid blue tick re-launches after pause|date=December 12, 2022|publisher=BBC News|access-date=December 12, 2022|archive-date=December 24, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221224191509/https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-63938566|url-status=live}} Twitter stated that only Twitter accounts older than 90{{nbsp}}days and with a confirmed phone number are able to subscribe and Blue checkmarks are issued once Twitter reviews the account, and any changes to the profile "will result in the loss of the blue checkmark" until Twitter can review the account again.{{cite web|last1=Clark|first1=Mitchell|title=Twitter Blue is back, letting you buy a blue checkmark again|url=https://www.theverge.com/2022/12/12/23506335/twitter-blue-verified-checkmarks-return-impersonation|website=The Verge|access-date=13 December 2022|date=12 December 2022|archive-date=13 December 2022|df=mdy-all|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221213001207/https://www.theverge.com/2022/12/12/23506335/twitter-blue-verified-checkmarks-return-impersonation|url-status=live}} The "Official" labels were replaced with Verified Organizations, which are displayed with a gold checkmark and square-shaped avatars (as opposed to circular avatars for all other accounts): this program costs $1,000 per-month, with Verified Organizations able to add verification to affiliated accounts for an additional fee of $50 per-month for each account.{{Cite web|last=Schroeder|first=Stan|date=2023-03-31|df=mdy-all|title=Twitter now lets businesses handle their employees' blue ticks, for a hefty price|url=https://mashable.com/article/twitter-verified-organizations|access-date=2023-05-04|website=Mashable|language=en}} Gray checkmarks were also added for government accounts on Twitter.{{cite web|last1=Wiggers|first1=Kyle|title=Twitter launches Blue for Business, grants gold checkmarks to 'corporate entities'|url=https://techcrunch.com/2022/12/12/twitter-launches-blue-for-business-grants-gold-checkmarks-to-corporate-entities/|website=TechCrunch|access-date=13 December 2022|date=12 December 2022|archive-date=13 December 2022|df=mdy-all|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221213003136/https://techcrunch.com/2022/12/12/twitter-launches-blue-for-business-grants-gold-checkmarks-to-corporate-entities/|url-status=live}}

Accounts that had been verified through the previous system were renamed to "legacy verified", with Musk calling the previous system "corrupt and nonsensical" in a tweet, and stating the blue checkmarks on those accounts would be removed "in a few months".{{Cite tweet|author=Elon Musk|user=elonmusk|number=1602407011106361362|title=@micsolana In a few months, we will remove all legacy blue checks. The way in which they were given out was corrupt and nonsensical.}} Musk claimed that the impersonation issue was resolved by manually reviewing all applications,{{Cite news|last=Lerman|first=Rachel|date=November 25, 2022|title=Musk plans Twitter check mark feature again, this time with more colors|newspaper=Washington Post|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2022/11/25/musk-twitter-verified-check-marks/|url-access=limited|access-date=2023-02-25|issn=0190-8286|archive-date=2022-12-02|df=mdy-all|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221202105921/https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2022/11/25/musk-twitter-verified-check-marks/|url-status=live}} but The Washington Post tech columnist Geoffrey A. Fowler was able to create an impersonation account of senator Ed Markey,{{efn|This was done with the senator's consent.{{Cite news|last=Fowler|first=Geoffrey|date=January 5, 2023|title=Twitter said it fixed 'verification.' So I impersonated a senator (again).|newspaper=The Washington Post|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2023/01/05/twitter-blue-verification/|url-access=limited|access-date=February 5, 2023|archive-date=February 7, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230207115737/https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2023/01/05/twitter-blue-verification/|url-status=live}}}} which was promptly verified after subscribing to Twitter Blue and only suspended after Fowler's story was published.{{Cite news|last=Fowler|first=Geoffrey A.|date=January 5, 2023|title=Perspective {{!}} Twitter said it fixed 'verification.' So I impersonated a senator (again).|newspaper=Washington Post|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2023/01/05/twitter-blue-verification/|url-access=limited|access-date=2023-02-25|df=mdy-all|issn=0190-8286|archive-date=2023-02-21|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230221173828/https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2023/01/05/twitter-blue-verification/|url-status=live}}

On April 24, 2023, a parody account of the defunct Disney Junior channel in the United Kingdom was verified with a gold checkmark.{{cite web|last1=Whittock|first1=Jesse|title=Fake Disney Junior Twitter Account With Gold Tick Suspended — But Not Before Using Profanities And Racial Slur|url=https://deadline.com/2023/04/fake-disney-junior-uk-twitter-account-gold-tick-suspended-1235334732/|website=Deadline|access-date=1 May 2023|date=24 April 2023|df=mdy-all}} The account, which tweeted profanities and claimed that South Park and Family Guy would be coming to Disney Junior,{{cite web|last1=Yossman|first1=K. J.|title=Twitter Gave a Fake Disney Junior Account That Uses Racial Slurs a Gold Checkmark Verification|url=https://variety.com/2023/digital/global/twitter-fake-disney-junior-gold-checkmark-verification-1235592264/|website=Variety|access-date=1 May 2023|date=24 April 2023|df=mdy-all}} became viral{{cite web|title=Twitter gives fake Disney account verified status|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-65374723|website=BBC News|access-date=1 May 2023|date=24 April 2023|df=mdy-all}} and was later suspended.{{cite web|last1=Barr|first1=Kyle|title=Twitter Gave a Gold Checkmark to a Fake, Foul-Mouthed Disney Account|url=https://gizmodo.com/twitter-gold-checkmark-disney-jr-elon-musk-1850367844|website=Gizmodo|access-date=May 1, 2023|language=en|date=April 24, 2023}}

{{Main|Twitter Blue verification controversy#Verification status removals}}

On March 23, 2023, Twitter announced that on April 1, 2023, it would begin winding down its legacy verification program and removing legacy verified checkmarks.{{cite web|last1=Spangler|first1=Todd|title=Twitter to Revoke 'Legacy' Verified Badges in April, Leaving Only Paying Subscribers With Blue Check-Marks|url=https://variety.com/2023/digital/news/twitter-revokes-legacy-verification-blue-checkmarks-april-1235561515/|website=Variety|access-date=31 March 2023|date=23 March 2023|archive-date=30 March 2023|df=mdy-all|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230330193235/https://variety.com/2023/digital/news/twitter-revokes-legacy-verification-blue-checkmarks-april-1235561515/|url-status=live}}{{Cite tweet|user=verified|number=1639029459557679104|title=On April 1st, we will begin winding down our legacy verified program and removing legacy verified checkmarks.|author=((Twitter Verified))}} The New York Times reported that exceptions would be made for Twitter's top 500 advertisers and its 10,000 most-followed organizations that had been previously verified.{{cite web|last1=McCabe|first1=David|last2=Conger|first2=Kate|title=Elon Musk Tried to Meet With F.T.C. Chair About Twitter but Was Rebuffed|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2023/03/30/technology/elon-musk-ftc-chair.html|website=The New York Times|access-date=1 April 2023|date=30 March 2023|archive-date=1 April 2023|df=mdy-all|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230401000250/https://www.nytimes.com/2023/03/30/technology/elon-musk-ftc-chair.html|url-status=live}}{{cite web|last1=Rosenblatt|first1=Kalhan|title=Some of Twitter's top users aren't afraid of losing their blue check marks|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/tech/internet/twitter-blue-check-mark-cost-how-much-verified-rcna77432|website=NBC News|date=31 March 2023|access-date=2023-04-01|archive-date=2023-04-01|df=mdy-all|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230401043449/https://www.nbcnews.com/tech/internet/twitter-blue-check-mark-cost-how-much-verified-rcna77432|url-status=live}} BuzzFeed News reported that multiple news organizations like The New York Times, The Washington Post and The Los Angeles Times had no plans to pay for Twitter's "Verified Organizations" service nor would they reimburse reporters for having Twitter Blue.{{cite web|last1=Notopoulos|first1=Katie|last2=Dixit|first2=Pranav|title=Newsrooms Ponder Whether To Pay For Journalists' Twitter Blue Checks|url=https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/katienotopoulos/journalists-blue-checks-newsrooms-twitter-verification|website=BuzzFeed News|date=30 March 2023|access-date=31 March 2023|archive-date=31 March 2023|df=mdy-all|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230331002606/https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/katienotopoulos/journalists-blue-checks-newsrooms-twitter-verification|url-status=live}} Similarly, Axios reported that White House digital strategy director Rob Flaherty sent an internal email to staffers saying "[t]here are ongoing trials for the program that we are monitoring, but we will not enroll in it."{{cite web|last1=Fischer|first1=Sara|title=Scoop: White House won't pay for Twitter verification|url=https://www.axios.com/2023/03/31/twitter-verification-white-house-biden-check-mark|website=Axios|access-date=31 March 2023|date=31 March 2023|archive-date=31 March 2023|df=mdy-all|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230331180601/https://www.axios.com/2023/03/31/twitter-verification-white-house-biden-check-mark|url-status=live}}

Twitter did not immediately begin removing checkmarks on April 1, 2023. The Washington Post reported that "[the removal] of verification badges is a largely manual process powered by a system prone to breaking" and "[i]n the past, there was no way to reliably remove badges at a bulk scale", according to former Twitter employees.{{cite news|last1=Lerman|first1=Rachel|last2=Siddiqui|first2=Faiz|title=Twitter's blue check mark was loved and loathed. Now it's pay for play.|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2023/03/31/twitter-verification-checkmark-ending/|newspaper=Washington Post|access-date=5 April 2023|archive-date=5 April 2023|df=mdy-all|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230405092515/https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2023/03/31/twitter-verification-checkmark-ending/|url-status=live}} However, on April 2, 2023, the main account for The New York Times became one of the first major media companies to lose its verified status on Twitter. The loss of verification came after Musk replied "Oh ok, we'll take it off then"{{Cite tweet|user=elonmusk|df=mdy-all|number=1642383150230773760|title=@cb_doge Oh ok, we'll take it off then|author-link=Elon Musk}} to a Twitter user who tweeted that The New York Times would not pay for Twitter verification.{{cite web|last1=McShane|first1=Julianne|title=Twitter hasn't removed verified check marks — except from The New York Times|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/tech/tech-news/twitter-hasnt-removed-verified-check-marks-new-york-rcna77824|website=NBC News|date=2 April 2023|access-date=5 April 2023|archive-date=5 April 2023|df=mdy-all|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230405025909/https://www.nbcnews.com/tech/tech-news/twitter-hasnt-removed-verified-check-marks-new-york-rcna77824|url-status=live}} He criticised the newspaper for tweeting hundreds of posts every day, including drafts that were not accepted into the published editions of the paper, and inundating the daily feed of users who followed it.{{Cite web|last=Syme|first=Pete|date=2023-04-18|df=mdy-all|title=Elon Musk says news organizations should only tweet 10 stories a day, after he tweeted more than 100 times over the weekend|url=https://www.businessinsider.com/elon-musk-says-nyt-tweet-less-after-100-weekend-tweets-2023-4|website=Business Insider|access-date=2023-04-18|archive-date=2023-04-18|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230418211134/https://www.businessinsider.com/elon-musk-says-nyt-tweet-less-after-100-weekend-tweets-2023-4|url-status=live}} Despite the deadline for Twitter Blue passing, and aside from The New York Times, many legacy verified accounts continued to retain their verified status. Twitter also updated the language previously used to distinguish between legacy and Twitter Blue-verified users, merging them into a single description,{{cite web|first=Alex|last=Hern|title=TechScape: Elon Musk promised to take away the blue ticks – so why hasn't he?|url=https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2023/apr/04/techscape-twitter-blue-ticks-elon-musk|website=The Guardian|access-date=5 April 2023|date=4 April 2023|archive-date=4 April 2023|df=mdy-all|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230404235538/https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2023/apr/04/techscape-twitter-blue-ticks-elon-musk|url-status=live}}{{cite web|last1=Spangler|first1=Todd|title=Elon Musk's Twitter Updates Verified User Descriptions so You Can't Tell Who Paid for a Blue Check-Mark Anymore|url=https://variety.com/2023/digital/news/twitter-updates-verified-user-descriptions-paid-blue-check-1235571165/|website=Variety|access-date=9 April 2023|date=2 April 2023|archive-date=9 April 2023|df=mdy-all|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230409005213/https://variety.com/2023/digital/news/twitter-updates-verified-user-descriptions-paid-blue-check-1235571165/|url-status=live}} and later unfollowed all legacy-verified accounts.{{cite news|last1=Morris|first1=Chris|title=Twitter's blue checkmark purge may have finally begun|url=https://www.fastcompany.com/90877904/twitter-mass-unfollowing-blue-checkmark-accounts|website=Fast Company|date=6 April 2023|access-date=17 April 2023|archive-date=17 April 2023|df=mdy-all|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230417214431/https://www.fastcompany.com/90877904/twitter-mass-unfollowing-blue-checkmark-accounts|url-status=live}} On April 11, 2023, Musk announced the final date for removing legacy blue checkmarks to be April 20.{{Cite tweet|user=elonmusk|author-link=Elon Musk|number=1645863107175284738|title=Final date for removing legacy Blue checks is 4/20}}{{cite web|last1=Spangler|first1=Todd|title=Elon Musk Says Twitter 'Final Date' for Removing Legacy Blue Check-Marks Is 4/20|url=https://variety.com/2023/digital/news/twitter-musk-date-removal-blue-checkmarks-legacy-1235570782/|website=Variety|access-date=17 April 2023|date=11 April 2023|archive-date=16 April 2023|df=mdy-all|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230416234549/https://variety.com/2023/digital/news/twitter-musk-date-removal-blue-checkmarks-legacy-1235570782/|url-status=live}}

Despite skepticism due to the chosen date,{{cite web|last1=Peters|first1=Jay|title=Twitter promises it's really, actually removing legacy blue checks very soon|url=https://www.theverge.com/2023/4/19/23690077/twitter-verified-checkmarks-removing-legacy-blue|website=The Verge|access-date=20 April 2023|date=19 April 2023|archive-date=19 April 2023|df=mdy-all|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230419232004/https://www.theverge.com/2023/4/19/23690077/twitter-verified-checkmarks-removing-legacy-blue|url-status=live}}{{cite web|last1=Spangler|first1=Todd|title=Elon Musk Says Twitter 'Final Date' for Removing Legacy Blue Check-Marks Is 4/20|url=https://variety.com/2023/digital/news/twitter-musk-date-removal-blue-checkmarks-legacy-1235570782/|website=Variety|access-date=20 April 2023|date=11 April 2023|archive-date=18 April 2023|df=mdy-all|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230418193859/https://variety.com/2023/digital/news/twitter-musk-date-removal-blue-checkmarks-legacy-1235570782/|url-status=live}} Twitter began removing legacy checkmarks on April 20, 2023.{{cite web|last1=Porter|first1=Jon|title=Twitter begins removing blue checkmarks from all legacy users|url=https://www.theverge.com/2023/4/20/23690820/twitter-verified-blue-checkmark-legacy-elon-musk|website=The Verge|access-date=20 April 2023|date=20 April 2023|archive-date=20 April 2023|df=mdy-all|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230420181842/https://www.theverge.com/2023/4/20/23690820/twitter-verified-blue-checkmark-legacy-elon-musk|url-status=live}}{{cite web|last1=Ingram|first1=David|last2=Yang|first2=Angela|title=Twitter begins removal of legacy verified checkmarks|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/tech/social-media/twitter-blue-checks-legacy-verification-removed-rcna80539|website=NBC News|access-date=20 April 2023|archive-date=20 April 2023|df=mdy-all|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230420183109/https://www.nbcnews.com/tech/social-media/twitter-blue-checks-legacy-verification-removed-rcna80539|url-status=live}} Among those that lost their verified status included Cristiano Ronaldo and Beyoncé.{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-65344010|title=Beyoncé and Ronaldo among those to lose Twitter blue check in purge|work=BBC|access-date=2023-04-22|archive-date=2023-04-22|df=mdy-all|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230422012235/https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-65344010|url-status=live}} Following the removal of legacy verification, Twitter began verifying the accounts of several celebrities who had been critical of, and did not purchase Twitter Blue, including Stephen King, LeBron James, Hasan Piker, and dril.{{Cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2023/apr/21/elon-musk-pays-stephen-king-lebron-james-keep-twitter-blue-ticks|title=Elon Musk pays for Stephen King and LeBron James to keep Twitter blue ticks|newspaper=The Guardian|date=21 April 2023|access-date=2023-04-23|archive-date=2023-04-23|df=mdy-all|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230423011026/https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2023/apr/21/elon-musk-pays-stephen-king-lebron-james-keep-twitter-blue-ticks|url-status=live|last1=Milmo|first1=Dan}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.avclub.com/celebrities-now-working-to-remove-their-apparently-mand-1850366148|title=Celebrities now working to remove their apparently mandatory Twitter checkmarks|website=The A.V. Club|date=23 April 2023|access-date=2023-04-23|archive-date=2023-04-23|df=mdy-all|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230423004740/https://www.avclub.com/celebrities-now-working-to-remove-their-apparently-mand-1850366148|url-status=live}} Musk implied that he was paying for their subscriptions personally.{{cite web|last1=Milmo|first1=Dan|title=Elon Musk pays for Stephen King and LeBron James to keep Twitter blue ticks|url=https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2023/apr/21/elon-musk-pays-stephen-king-lebron-james-keep-twitter-blue-ticks|website=The Guardian|access-date=23 April 2023|date=21 April 2023|archive-date=23 April 2023|df=mdy-all|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230423011026/https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2023/apr/21/elon-musk-pays-stephen-king-lebron-james-keep-twitter-blue-ticks|url-status=live}}{{cite web|last1=Peters|first1=Jay|title=LeBron James didn't pay for his Twitter checkmark, but Elon Musk gave it to him anyway|url=https://www.theverge.com/2023/4/20/23691831/twitter-blue-verified-celebrity-lebron-james-stephen-king|website=The Verge|access-date=23 April 2023|date=20 April 2023|archive-date=22 April 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230422224304/https://www.theverge.com/2023/4/20/23691831/twitter-blue-verified-celebrity-lebron-james-stephen-king|url-status=live}} A day later, Twitter updated its policy for Twitter Ads requiring all advertisers to be subscribed to Verified Organizations,{{cite web|last1=Sawers|first1=Paul|title=Twitter seemingly now requires all advertisers to have a verified checkmark|url=https://techcrunch.com/2023/04/21/twitter-seemingly-now-requires-all-advertisers-to-have-a-verified-checkmark/|website=TechCrunch|access-date=23 April 2023|date=21 April 2023|archive-date=22 April 2023|df=mdy-all|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230422231656/https://techcrunch.com/2023/04/21/twitter-seemingly-now-requires-all-advertisers-to-have-a-verified-checkmark/|url-status=live}} but businesses spending at least $1000 a month in advertising would automatically receive membership in the Verified Organizations program at no additional cost.{{cite web|last1=Spangler|first1=Todd|title=Twitter Reportedly Is Now Requiring All Advertisers to Pay for Verification Unless They Spend at Least $1,000 per Month|url=https://variety.com/2023/digital/news/twitter-advertisers-paid-verification-check-marks-1235590844/|website=Variety|access-date=23 April 2023|date=21 April 2023|archive-date=22 April 2023|df=mdy-all|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230422113456/https://variety.com/2023/digital/news/twitter-advertisers-paid-verification-check-marks-1235590844/|url-status=live}} On April 22, 2023, Twitter seemingly began issuing blue and gold{{cite web|last1=Kleinman|first1=Zoe|title=Twitter's blue tick restored to high profile accounts|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-65365366|website=BBC News|access-date=23 April 2023|date=23 April 2023|archive-date=23 April 2023|df=mdy-all|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230423100313/https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-65365366|url-status=live}} checkmarks to accounts with at least a million followers, including those belonging to deceased users such as Anthony Bourdain, Chadwick Boseman, and Kobe Bryant.{{cite magazine|last=Legaspi|first=Althea|title=Twitter Users With a Million Followers Are Getting 'Paid' Blue Checks, Like It or Not|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/culture/culture-news/twitter-blue-badges-added-to-celebrity-accounts-without-subscription-1234722041/|magazine=Rolling Stone|access-date=23 April 2023|date=23 April 2023|archive-date=23 April 2023|df=mdy-all|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230423031757/https://www.rollingstone.com/culture/culture-news/twitter-blue-badges-added-to-celebrity-accounts-without-subscription-1234722041/|url-status=live}}{{cite web|last1=Kelly|first1=Kieran|title=Twitter users baffled after blue ticks return to some accounts despite 'not paying for them'|url=https://www.lbc.co.uk/news/twitter-users-baffled-blue-ticks-return-accounts/|website=LBC|access-date=23 April 2023|language=en|archive-date=23 April 2023|df=mdy-all|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230423171003/https://www.lbc.co.uk/news/twitter-users-baffled-blue-ticks-return-accounts/|url-status=live}} Since the blue checkmark now indicates an active Twitter Blue subscription, several high{{nbh}}profile users began looking for ways to remove it, usually by briefly changing their display name.{{cite web|last1=Hughes|first1=William|title=Celebrities now working to remove their apparently mandatory Twitter checkmarks|url=https://www.avclub.com/celebrities-now-working-to-remove-their-apparently-mand-1850366148|website=The A.V. Club|access-date=23 April 2023|language=en|date=23 April 2023|archive-date=23 April 2023|df=mdy-all|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230423004740/https://www.avclub.com/celebrities-now-working-to-remove-their-apparently-mand-1850366148|url-status=live}}{{cite web|last1=Dellatto|first1=Marisa|title=Twitter Restores Blue Check Marks For Many High-Profile Accounts—But Some Celebrities Don't Want Them|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/marisadellatto/2023/04/23/twitter-restores-blue-check-marks-to-some-big-accounts-but-some-celebrities-dont-want-them/?sh=48e9f4e73a14|website=Forbes|access-date=24 April 2023|df=mdy-all|language=en}}

On April 25, 2023, Musk announced that posts by verified accounts would now be prioritized ahead of unverified users, but behind those of the user's own follows, in replies to tweets.{{Cite web|last=Schroeder|first=Stan|date=2023-04-25|df=mdy-all|title=Elon Musk says verified Twitter accounts are now prioritized, whatever that means|url=https://mashable.com/article/twitter-verified-accounts-prioritized-elon-musk|access-date=2023-04-30|website=Mashable|language=en}}{{Cite news|date=March 20, 2023|title=Twitter to prioritise replies from followed and verified users|work=The Times of India|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/gadgets-news/twitter-to-prioritise-replies-from-followed-and-verified-users/articleshow/98812436.cms|access-date=July 21, 2023|issn=0971-8257}}

On April 30, 2023, multiple legacy verified users began noticing a bug that temporarily restored the legacy blue checkmark by changing their bio.{{cite web|last1=Renshaw|first1=David|title=Twitter bug allows formerly verified users to bring back blue check free of charge|url=https://www.thefader.com/2023/05/01/twitter-bug-allows-formerly-verified-users-to-bring-back-blue-check-free-of-charge|website=The FADER|access-date=May 1, 2023 |language=en}}{{cite web|last1=Luna|first1=Elizabeth de|title=This Twitter bug will give you back your blue check... sort of|url=https://mashable.com/article/twitter-blue-checkmark-verified-bug|website=Mashable|access-date=May 1, 2023|language=en|date=May 1, 2023}}

On October 17, 2023, X announced that it would trial a scheme requiring new users who register via the website in New Zealand and the Philippines to pay US$1 per-year in order to use the platform. If the user does not subscribe, they will only receive read-only access to the platform. It was stated that this system was required to "bolster our already significant efforts to reduce spam, manipulation of our platform and bot activity."{{Cite web|last=Heath|first=Alex|date=2023-10-18|title=X will start charging new users in two countries $1 per year|url=https://www.theverge.com/2023/10/17/23921752/x-not-a-bot-charge-new-users-elon-musk|access-date=2023-10-18|df=mdy-all|website=The Verge|language=en}}

Prior to the introduction of paid Twitter verification after the acquisition of Twitter by Elon Musk, verified status was a highly sought-after qualification among Twitter users. Since Twitter alone granted blue checkmarks, they could use them as a passive inducement for users to create more content. Alison Hearn argued in 2017 that they introduce a new social class of Twitter users.{{Cite journal|doi=10.1080/15405702.2016.1269909|issn=1540-5702|volume=15|issue=2|pages=62–77|last=Hearn|first= Alison|title=Verified: Self-presentation, identity management, and selfhood in the age of big data|journal=Popular Communication|date=2017-04-03|df=mdy-all|s2cid=151473273}} This can cause tension between verified and non-verified users of the site; when Twitter temporarily locked out verified accounts in the aftermath of the 2020 Twitter account hijacking, many non-verified users celebrated.{{Cite magazine|last=Watercutter|first=Angela|date=July 16, 2020|title=Twitter Is at Its Best When Verified Accounts Can't Tweet|magazine=Wired|url=https://www.wired.com/story/twitter-unverified-takeover|issn=1059-1028|access-date=February 3, 2021|archive-date=January 20, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210120014707/https://www.wired.com/story/twitter-unverified-takeover/|url-status=live}}{{cite news|last1=Joseph|first1=Andrew|title=Hack: Twitter locks Blue Checks; unverified accounts react with jokes|url=https://ftw.usatoday.com/2020/07/twitter-hack-bitcoin-verified-blue-checks-accounts-locked-joke-tweets|access-date=6 February 2021|work=USA Today|date=15 July 2020|df=mdy-all|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200716170515/https://ftw.usatoday.com/2020/07/twitter-hack-bitcoin-verified-blue-checks-accounts-locked-joke-tweets|archive-date=16 July 2020}}

After the blue checkmark was made available as a paid subscription in 2022, reporters noted trolls spreading conspiracy theories about COVID-19 vaccines using the checkmark to feign credibility.{{cite news|last=Schraer|first=Rachel|title=They died suddenly - then the anti-vax trolling started|website=BBC News|date=23 November 2022|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/health-63719246|access-date=23 November 2022|archive-date=23 November 2022|df=mdy-all|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221123145924/https://www.bbc.com/news/health-63719246|url-status=live}}

Several fake accounts surfaced following Twitter's move to eliminate the blue tick verification on April 20, 2023. An account pretending to be Hillary Clinton "announced" her intention to run for the presidency again. The said fake account used an identical profile photo as that of the former U.S. senator's legitimate handle. Moreover, a new Twitter handle in New York City claimed to be a legitimate account representing the government.

The BBC has noted that the increase in sponsored verification would heighten the spread of false information on the platform.{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-65344010|title=Beyoncé and Ronaldo among those to lose Twitter blue check in purge|work=BBC|access-date=2023-04-22|archive-date=2023-04-22|df=mdy-all|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230422012235/https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-65344010|url-status=live}}

{{notelist}}

{{reflist}}

• [https://help.twitter.com/en/managing-your-account/about-twitter-verified-accounts Twitter Support — About Verified Accounts]
• [https://help.twitter.com/en/managing-your-account/twitter-verified-accounts Twitter Support — Verification FAQ]

{{Twitter navbox}}

Category:Twitter

Category:Social media

Category:Identity management

Category:Computer access control

Category:Internet culture