It appears that Musk's plan to charge verified users $8 a month is already underway, as he laid off thousands of workers.
Social media experts warn that he risks allowing more scam and misinformation on the platform as a result of his push to improve the finances.
Mark Weinstein is the founder of MeWe, a social networking app with 20 million users. One person now owns and runs the company. There is no other example of a company that is owned and controlled by one person.
The risks of making users pay for verification are far greater than just the right to boast about a blue check.
He says that verification has nothing to do with wealth or credibility.
The second problem is that anyone can change their photo and name to appear to be someone else, if they have a verified sticker on their car. It would have to be extra careful not to be taken in by a fake.
Chapman says hate speech is a problem for social media. "Social media is rife with false accounts set up to spread misinformation, and cunning use of free- speech to misdirect and derail honest debate."
The recent attack on Nancy Pelosi's husband and the false claims that the Manchester Arena attack was staged are not examples of free speech being disconnected from action.
Some players are too willing to pay for bots and troll, and to boost the number of messages on their account, which could undermine free speech on the platform.
Paying for verification won't end bots. It opens a new chapter in the 10-year-old cat-and-mouse game between humans and computers. There is a new offensive on this front.
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