TWITTER’S decision to start removing blue tick verification from accounts has caused uproar among users who have spent years trying to attain the coveted status symbol. Among those who have been affected is Beyonce and Cristiano Ronaldo, whose verification badges were stripped off their profiles along with thousands of other users. The move comes as Twitter owner Elon Musk tries to turn a profit by introducing a subscription service called Twitter Blue. Users who wish to keep their verification badges will have to pay $84 a year (£67).
Amid the controversy, Martin Lewis, the founder of Moneysavingexpert.com, has been criticised for keeping his blue tick after admitting he paid for it. However, he has defended his decision, arguing that he is often impersonated by scammers trying to steal from the vulnerable, and having a blue tick reduces that risk. Lewis explained his rationale for buying the blue tick in March, saying it was not a recommendation or a show of support for the changes.
In a tweet on Friday, Lewis responded to criticism from followers who claimed he was a hypocrite for buying a blue tick while others had theirs removed. He said that he had explained his decision before and that he had used it as “useful ammunition” to persuade Twitter to remove a fake “verified” account of him.
The move by Twitter to remove verification badges has not affected everyone, as Elon Musk has given complimentary subscriptions to Twitter Blue to a select group of users, including LeBron James, Stephen King and William Shatner.
The removal of verification badges has sparked controversy on Twitter, with some users arguing that the move undermines the purpose of the badges, while others suggest that it is a way for Twitter to generate more revenue from its users. Despite the backlash, it appears that Twitter is determined to push ahead with the changes, leaving many users wondering if they will still be able to retain their blue tick in the future.
