Main Highlights:
- Eli Lilly & Co. had to issue an apology when an impostor account created under the new Twitter Blue system was announced.
- Following the launch of the service, several bogus accounts, including Elon Musk’s own Tesla and SpaceX, appeared with a blue tick.
- There are now two types of verified accounts on Twitter: one that was verified before to Musk’s takeover and states, “This account is verified because it is significant in government, news, entertainment, or another specified area.”
Elon Musk’s Twitter disabled the subscription-based blue tick verification badges on Friday, only days after introducing them as part of a slew of changes. The social media site planned to charge $8 to users who wanted the premium blue tick verification symbol, but as soon as the service went live, several phoney “confirmed” accounts appeared on Twitter, causing the platform to reconsider its decision.
Previously, blue tick verification was granted to notable figures in many industries such as entertainment, politics, media, and so on to avoid imitation. However, after Tesla co-founder Elon Musk took over the social media behemoth in a $44 billion acquisition agreement, the firm decided to change the verification criteria and provide blue tick to anybody willing to pay $8 for the service.
Following the launch of the service, several bogus accounts, including Elon Musk’s own Tesla and SpaceX, appeared with a blue tick. An impostor account even claimed that ‘insulin is free,’ prompting pharmaceutical company Eli Lilly & Co. to issue an apology through Twitter.
There are now two types of verified accounts on Twitter: one that was verified before to Musk’s takeover and states, “This account is verified because it is significant in government, news, entertainment, or another specified area.”
The other verified account belongs to a person who paid $8 for Twitter Blue service.
The payment for the blue tick badge was necessary because analysts believe Musk overpaid for the $44 billion contract, which he is now realising. He has sold billions of dollars in shares from his other firm, Tesla, and has also raised funds from the markets. Several sponsors have paused their Twitter commercials while they learn about the new leadership’s rules, and the current mess of phoney accounts has made them even more wary.
Elon Musk has recently cautioned Twitter staff to expect long hours as the firm approaches insolvency. The warning came as the US regulator announced the departure of the company’s trust and safety chief, as well as other top officials.
Musk cautioned in his first company-wide email that Twitter will not “survive the approaching economic slump” if it does not increase subscription revenue to balance dwindling advertising revenue, according to three individuals who saw the letter.
Twitter $8 Blue-Tick
Another hiccup has been added to the recently purchased Twitter Inc.’s difficult trip. The social networking company has halted its $8 subscription scheme, which was introduced earlier this week. The debut of this re-vamped service cleared the door for several bogus accounts, resulting in the site’s shutdown. Twitter has been plagued with fake accounts since the business permitted paying customers to receive verified blue check marks, according to reports.
Several Twitter users noticed on Friday that the new $7.99 Blue membership service had mysteriously vanished from their iOS app, just as Elon Musk claimed the platform had reached a “all-time high of active users.”
Existing customers will still have access to their accounts, according to the individual who asked not to be identified since the information is private.
Twitter Flooded With Fake Accounts
Twitter’s new premium service, which offers blue-check “verification” badges to anybody willing to pay $8 per month, was inaccessible Friday after the social media company was inundated by a wave of approved impostor accounts.
Before billionaire Elon Musk took over the social media network two weeks ago, celebrities, journalists, and the company itself were given the green light to avoid mimicry. Anyone with a phone, a credit card, and $8 a month may now acquire one.
Eli Lilly & Co. had to issue an apology when an impostor account created under the new Twitter Blue system announced that insulin was free. Nintendo, Lockheed Martin, Musk’s own Tesla and SpaceX, as well as the accounts of different major sports figures, were all impersonated.
Twitter has recently resumed the practise of labelling some notable accounts with grey “official” markings. It had released the labels earlier this week, only to have them removed a few hours later.
