A blue checkmark verification badge is one of the perks that will be included in the price of the monthly subscription for the service. We may soon be able to see who is dying online and who is gullible enough to pay for the illusion of status.
Musk wrote that the current lords and peasants system for who doesn't have a blue check mark is bullshit. It's power to the people. It's blue for $8 a month.
Tweet may have been deleted(opens in a new tab)
This is an increase from the current price of $4.99 per month, which itself was increased from its previous monthly fee of $2.99. This still works out to be a price rise of 167 percent within one year, despite the fact that $8 is less than the previously reported $20 per month. The idea of an $8 monthly fee was floated by Musk to Stephen King, who was one of the many users who didn't like the idea of a $20 fee.
According to Musk, verified status isn't the only perk that will be available with a blue subscription. Half as many ads will be shown to accounts that sign up for the service, as well as being able to post longer videos and audio.
Giving priority to the Blue users is necessary to defeat the scam. He is installing a class system in which the voices of those who pay are louder than those who don't. Musk is assuming that companies aren't the most likely to pay for the service, and won't monopolise replies until the platform is a microblogged billboard.
Previously verification was free, but only granted to accounts that are of public interest, such as those belonging to brands. It helped combat the spread of false information when it was confirmed that the real Taylor Swift wasn't the one Donald Trump was referring to.
The ability to purchase verified status would make this tool useless, allowing any user to impersonate anyone they please. Musk is aware of the problem but doesn't think it will get any worse.
There have been verified accounts that have been impersonated. The Chaser's blue tick was revoked in 2020 after it impersonated Donald Trump on its verified account. The joke was repeated with other prominent figures in 2021.
It's possible that the difficulty in getting verified means few are willing to lose their badges. Increasing the number of followers on the micro-messaging service is not likely to lead to an increase in misinformation.
Tweet may have been deleted(opens in a new tab)
Musk said that an alternate tag would be added to accounts belonging to public figures. It is likely that it will become a status symbol Musk tries to sell. Currently, government and state-affiliated media accounts from countries such as the U.S., China, and Russia are labeled on the social networking site. The accounts of Australia's prime minister, New Zealand's prime minister, and the British royal family are not labeled with a blue tick.
There's a chance that none of this actually comes to pass, but the future of the social network sounds dire. Musk is known for failing to follow through on his messages. He has been making a lot of noise to distract from the fact that he didn't want to buy the social network.
Considering how much Musk pushes questionable ideas, I wouldn't hold out hope.
All Rights Reserved © 2024
