The majority of social media networks let users voice their opinions on topics without being overly scrutinized. These platforms give individuals the chance to express their opinions on whatever subject they choose, whether it be politics, business-related issues, entertainment, or inspirational words for themselves.
As one of the social media sites with a sizable user base, Twitter developed the authentication badge, which was used to verify the accuracy of information being disseminated by specific significant organizations or individuals.
In order to lessen, if not entirely prevent, impersonation of some very prominent organizations and celebrities, Twitter Blue was developed. The origin of Twitter Blue might be attributed to a lawsuit filed against the firm in 2009 by baseball star Tony La Russa over a fictitious “Tony La Russa” account that was spreading untrue material on the players behalf.
The Twitter Blue badge was not given out intentionally to discriminate against users or to suggest that some users were special. The service’s main goal is to give users a way to authenticate sensitive data by believing in its source.
Since Elon Musk just acquired Twitter, there have been several changes, including layoffs and an increase in user verification requirements. Recently, Twitter’s new CEO unveiled a gold badge that will be used to identify verified Twitter account users. Musk introduced the new Twitter badge, which he believes would serve a much greater purpose than the previous one, after suspecting that the prior distribution of Twitter verification badges were distributed through fraudulent and less rigorous techniques.
Is a subscription payment necessary
Since a $8 monthly subscription is required to authenticate account holders on the program, the verification of Twitter accounts has taken on entirely new dimensions. Although this may have sounded believable, its execution created many questions because phony and impersonating accounts—some of which bore the name of the new CEO, Elon Musk—continually made their way onto the app.
Twitter had a lot of control over the existence of impersonating accounts, in contrast to the current verification process.
A user has to be highly well-known or take part in actions that wouldn’t typically go undetected on the social media platform with a sizable following in order to obtain the Twitter Blue Badge. These requirements tightened the criteria for verification and left few opportunities for prominent accounts to be impersonated.
Sincere concerns are still being expressed by owners of Twitter accounts, the controversy around the introduction of the new verification process has not subsided. The $8 and $11 recurring payments that Twitter requires each month are very concerning. This is because simply installing and utilizing the app brings in enormous daily revenue for the business. So why is it necessary to pay a monthly subscription fee in order to verify an account?
The self-described ardent supporter of free speech made his intentions obvious when he said that Twitter will be the center of that freedom, but subsequent events appear to run counter to that goal. The company’s move to immediately ban any user accounts that impersonate others runs directly counter to the company’s support for free speech. This reduces the enjoyment users can get from the app because the majority of these “impersonating accounts” make jokes about previous messages and statements made by legitimate account holders.
Does the Golden Badge solve the problem?
The Twitter team recently confirmed the introduction of the “golden mark,” which denotes that an account is actually verified. For an account to remain verified, the golden badge requires a $8 for Android downloads and a $11 for Apple device downloads monthly subscription fee. It also raises questions about why Apple and Android products require different monthly membership fees, but we’ll talk more about that later.
The team claims that the purpose of this new initiative and the payment plan is to discourage trolls, bots, and producers of impersonating accounts from engaging in inappropriate or harmful behavior on the social networking site.
According to Elon Musk, the platform would only be used by real, human-owned accounts if the monthly subscription fee served as a barrier. But the issue remains: Would the monthly subscription fee put a halt to the rise in account impersonation? The majority of people with verified Twitter accounts feel privileged, and Elon Musk and his colleagues appear to be particularly good at capitalizing on this.
According to reports, when an account that has previously been verified becomes unverified, the account holder throws a fit and threatens to involve the government of his nation.
Therefore, it also makes sense that if people are keen to own verified Twitter accounts, they will gladly pay whatever fees are required.
