Twitter Blue Subscription Model Not Meeting Expectations, Resulting in Accidental Blue Ticks
Twitter’s new subscription service, Twitter Blue, isn’t turning out as expected. Celebrities and organizations that did not even order Twitter Blue were granted a blue tick on their profile. Originally, the blue tick was created to identify relevant accounts whose owners verified their identity to Twitter. This ensured that the account with the blue tick was indeed the person or organization they claimed to be. However, with Twitter Blue, Elon Musk created a subscription model around the blue tick. The subscription model now only proves that the account owner has a telephone number and is willing to pay $8 per month for verification. The account’s name is no longer checked.
Low Threshold to Gain Blue Tick Leads to Higher Instances of Disinformation Accounts
This transition period saw the removal of ticks for those who still registered using the old system and did not subscribe to Twitter Blue. However, accounts like Stephen King, basketball player LeBron James, and Captain Kirk actor William Shatner still retained the blue tick despite not subscribing. Musk announced on Twitter that he would pay for their Twitter Blue subscriptions out of his own pocket. Many accounts with over a million followers, including those of deceased personalities like Black Panther actor Chadwick Boseman, were provided with blue ticks without their request.
Issues Arise with Unwanted, Accidental Blue Ticks
Accounts with blue ticks aren’t happy with them and want them removed. The ticks were presumed to be proof that the account holder paid money for it and verified their phone number. But not everyone wants to be associated with the premium service, especially due to mounting hate speech following Musk’s acquisition. The irony of the blue tick is that some people are struggling to get rid of it after bending over backwards to have one earlier.
In conclusion, Twitter Blue’s business model does not seem to be well-thought-out as celebrities and organizations are receiving blue ticks despite not ordering them. With low-threshold verification becoming available, the blue tick now has less power compared to before Twitter Blue’s arrival. It seems the blue tick’s coveted status has been dampened with its accidental distribution.
