Elon Musk Sets Deadline for Removing Legacy Blue Checkmarks on Twitter
Elon Musk, the billionaire owner of Twitter, has announced the deadline for purging legacy blue checkmarks from Twitter accounts, setting the date for April 20th. Users with legacy verified accounts will now have to subscribe to Twitter Blue to keep their checkmarks.
Twitter Blue Subscription and Celebrity Reactions
Twitter Blue, a subscription service, is priced differently based on region and platform. In the US, it costs $11/month for iOS and Android users and $8/month for web users. Celebrities like LeBron James and Stephen King have publicly refused to pay for verification, sparking debate about the value of the blue checkmark and its impact on the platform.
Controversy and Twitter Blue’s Impact
Since Musk took ownership of Twitter, the blue checkmark has been a source of controversy. Originally designed to identify and prevent impersonation of public figures, Musk sees the blue check as a status symbol and has opened it to anyone willing to pay for Twitter Blue. The removal of legacy blue checks may impact the platform as high-profile users may decide to leave, potentially harming Twitter’s user base and content.