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Twitter revealed its plans to charge users for the blue checkmark verification. Under this new option, those with the blue check will have to pay $8 per month. This was met with backlash from users but the platform’s new owner, Elon Musk, is firm with his decision.
Now, the changes to Twitter's verification process were expected to come soon, however, it was reported that the new Twitter Blue subscription service would have to wait a bit. According to The New York Times, the company decided to implement the new scheme after the midterm elections in the United States that were set for Tuesday, Nov. 8.
Then again, as part of the preparation for the launch of this paid verification process, Twitter already started rolling out different updates to its platform last weekend. One of the changes highlighted in the App Store is that users can now buy the blue check symbol for $7.99 a month, and they will receive the blue checkmark through the Twitter Blue plan.
The paid subscription to be verified was announced by Elon Musk himself, just days after officially acquiring Twitter for $44 billion. The move comes as the billionaire criticized the current system on the platform and vowed to change this and give “power to the people.”
By providing the verification to any user who is willing to pay $8 a month, Musk thinks this is one way he could give that “power” to the users. Apple’s App Store already update its listing to include the Twitter Blue offers.
“Power to the people,” the company said in its announcement. “Your account will get a blue check mark, just like the celebrities, companies, and politicians you already follow.”
But as mentioned earlier, the Twitter Blue plan will be delayed for a bit, and this information was shared by people who have knowledge of the decision. CNN Business reported that the delay could also be due to the wide public backlash after revealing its “Blue Check” system. Many celebrities and popular personalities have posted messages against Elon Musk, and a number of them have also left the Twitter platform altogether.
Photo by: Alexander Shatov/Unsplash
