Will Blue Check Lose its Meaning? Twitter’s Blue Checkmark for Sale

Twitter’s famous blue checkmark is about to undergo a significant change. Starting tomorrow, the coveted symbol will come with a price tag. Elon Musk, the man behind the move, aims to boost revenues by introducing a subscription service called Twitter Blue. Users will have to purchase a subscription to receive a check, with the new checks costing around $8 for users and at least $1,000 for organizations. Big media outlets like the New York Times and The Washington Post have declared that they won’t pay for the blue tick.

The Lisbon Council’s Internet Policy Expert Discusses the Change

Consentinos Comaitas, an internet policy expert at the Lisbon Council, shares his insights on the implications of this change for the platform. He believes that the blue check’s new meaning could lead to confusion and a decline in the overall quality of the platform.

Verification and Quality: The Shift in Meaning

Under the old system, the blue check symbolized a certain level of account quality. The new system, however, seems to signify a pure commercial transaction. Comaitas expresses concern over the potential for confusion and even suggests that this change might be intentionally designed as a dark pattern.

Twitter’s Changing Landscape: A Turn for the Worse?

As Twitter undergoes significant changes under Elon Musk’s leadership, Comaitas believes that the platform is changing for the worse. The introduction of the blue check subscription is just one of many changes that have occurred over the past few months, which include dismantling key features, driving away expertise, bullying journalists, and fostering an environment of first and second-class citizens.

The new subscription model could make it easier for scammers and bad actors to operate under the guise of the blue check. By rewarding spammers and sycophants, Musk seems to be steering Twitter toward a path more reminiscent of social media platforms like Social Truth, which are notorious for their echo chambers of hate and disinformation.

Exodus of Expertise and the Future of Twitter

Each decision Musk makes appears to trigger a new exodus of expertise and individuals who have historically contributed to making Twitter what it was. The refusal of major outlets like the New York Times to participate in the new scheme indicates that many are not optimistic about the platform’s future.

The next few months will be critical for Twitter as it navigates these significant changes. Comaitas hopes that his concerns will be proven wrong, but it remains to be seen how the platform will evolve in response to these new developments.

In Conclusion: A Pivotal Moment for Twitter

As Twitter’s blue checkmark undergoes a transformation from a symbol of account quality to a commercial transaction, the platform faces significant challenges.