Twitter has reportedly proposed $20 monthly charge to be imposed on the microblogging site users with verification badge.
The latest development is coming barely a few weeks after the world’s richest man, Elon Musk, acquired Twitter for $44 billion.
It was learnt that there were also plans to increase the price of a Twitter Blue subscription from its already elevated $4.99 monthly cost to $19.99 per month.
Twitter’s proposed changes could allow those who aren’t verified to essentially purchase the coveted blue tick badge.
Currently, Twitter only grants verified status to notable accounts from a “prominently recognised individual or brand”.
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If the change goes through, it’s probable that anyone who fulfills the other two criteria of being active on Twitter and confirming their identity will be able to get verified. This could potentially be useful in fighting disinformation and impersonation.
However, the $19.99 per month blue tick fee takes a lot of shine off the appeal.
Once Twitter’s new policy kicks in, users will have 90 days to subscribe or lose their verification badge.
It’s currently unclear what will happen to verified users in countries (US, Canada, Australia, or New Zealand) where Twitter Blue is unavailable.
It’s also unclear whether Musk has actually thought this through.
Twitter Blue currently allows users to edit their tweets, upload videos in 1080p, and see what articles are being shared the most in their network.
It also enables accounts to use an NFT as their profile picture.
