Elon Musk, the newly crowned Chief Twit, wants people to pony up for that blue check.
It’s been reported that Musk is considering making verification a Twitter Blue feature, while also ramping up the cost of the service to $20 per month. In effect, Twitter would essentially be charging its users for verification — and most of the internet is convinced they wouldn’t pay up. Because who would pay for a silly little check mark?
The jokes about it were good, to be honest.
Others were offended at the idea that Twitter would charge for a verification, a process that was created to protect against identity theft on the app.
Meanwhile, some users were pointing out that this new verification plan could be a nightmare for disinformation. For example, many journalists on the app are verified in an attempt to help users discern if info on Twitter is coming from a reliable source.
As a journalist, I am verified on Twitter. And unless my work requires it — and pays for it — there is a zero point zero percent chance I will pay to keep my verification. One: That is a ridiculously high price. Two: A single cent would be too much. Sure, verification is nice for work and probably boosts the visibility of my account, but paying to keep a blue check? That is extreme loser behavior. No way.
Anyway follow me @timmarcin — it’s the real me, check mark or not.
