Twitter Removes Blue Tick From Non-Paying Users

Rabat – Elon Musk’s Twitter has begun removing its blue checkmark from verified users who have not paid the $8 charge for account verification.

Notable personalities and celebrities lost their verified badges, including the Head of the Catholic Church Pope Francis, US President Joe Biden, American business magnate Bill Gates, Footballer Cristiano Ronaldo, and Colombian singer Shakira.

Meanwhile, Former US president Barack Obama, CEO of Amazon Jeff Bezos, Footballer Karim Benzema, and singer Rihanna still have the blue tick on their profiles.

Official government accounts and major news outlets’ accounts have also lost their verified badges, making it difficult for the public to distinguish between official and unofficial sources of information.

Musk took to Twitter to announce that he will pay the Twitter account verification cost for three people: LeBron James, Stephen King, and William Shatner.

Just Shatner, LeBron and King
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) April 21, 2023

Stephen King was unaware that Musk had paid his verification fee, “My Twitter account says I’ve subscribed to Twitter Blue. I haven’t. My Twitter account says I’ve given a phone number. I haven’t,” he said.

To which Musk replied, “You’re welcome namaste.”

Twitter’s removal of checkmarks has prompted much debate among its users, with some willing to pay the charge and others refusing.

Founder, CEO of Capital Mind Deepak Shenoy tweeted: “I’m happy to pay for twitter, not just for a blue tick. Twitter’s been a wonderful source of information, commentary, news, debates, and friendships. A blue tick isn’t a class signal anymore and I’m so happy about that. It’s just that you value twitter enough to pay for it.”

I’m happy to pay for twitter, not just for a blue tick. Twitter’s been a wonderful source of information, commentary, news, debates, friendships.
A blue tick isn’t a class signal anymore and I’m so happy for that. It’s just that you value twitter enough to pay for it.
— Deepak Shenoy (@deepakshenoy) April 21, 2023

Musician Mark Read argued that paying the verification fee provides no benefits or advantages, saying, “So long blue tick , I would pay for Twitter blue , but not until there are some actual benefits & perks, otherwise it’s like subscribing to a streaming service without any shows! You don’t need to give money to a billionaire to feel more important.”

So long blue tick , I would pay for Twitter blue , but not until there are some actual benefits & perks, otherwise it’s like subscribing to a streaming service without any shows! You don’t need to give money to a billionaire to feel more important #bluecheck #TwitterBlue
— Mark Read (@MarkReadMusic) April 21, 2023

In November 2022, Musk announced that verified users’ blue ticks would be removed from Twitter unless they paid the $8 monthly subscription charge.

Organizations are also required to pay a $1,000 monthly subscription fee.

Musk argued that the account verification will give the platform users priority in replies, mentions, search and ability to post long videos and audio. Additionally, he argued that the $8 fee would give Twitter a revenue stream to reward its content creators.