Twitter is reportedly delaying the paid subscription plan, which provides the ability to secure a blue tick when the user subscribes to a $7.99-per-month Twitter blue plan. According to a report published by international media outlets, the delay will stay until after the midterm elections. The decision came one day after the platform launched an updated version of its iOS app, saying, “Starting today, we’re adding great new features to Twitter Blue, and have more on the way soon. Your account will get a blue checkmark, just like the celebrities, companies, and politicians you already follow.”
Twitter Blue’s Paid Subscription Plan Delayed to Avoid Impersonation and Misinformation
The decision to delay the paid subscription plan came as the platform faced a massive backlash, with many celebrity users impersonating Elon Musk to reveal a potential flaw in the “Verification Check” system. An international magazine reported that the move was aimed at limiting the potential fallout of verified users impersonating political or other government figures, such as President Biden, or news outlets claiming false results that may discourage others from voting.
According to The Verge, when users opt to join the new subscription plan, the app will flash a pop-up saying, “Blue looks good on you, enjoy your verified checkmark.” It is pertinent to mention here that blue verification ticks were only distributed to users after going through a verification process that makes it easier to separate authentic accounts from fake ones.
Twitter’s Blue Tick may Risk Misinformation
The newly-recommended Twitter model by Elon Musk is raising the alarm about the consequences it could have on disinformation ahead of the 2022 midterm elections. Rachel Foster Jones, Thematic Analyst at GlobalData, a leading data and analytics company, said; “Adding the blue tick to the subscription could well boost subscription-based revenues because it is a coveted feature; however, an online class system could emerge, as it may become a question of which accounts can pay for the blue tick— rather than which accounts deserve it on merit.” He further added, “Determining which accounts are authentic will become a significant challenge for Twitter when genuine users are unwilling to pay, which may increase the risk of impersonation and misinformation.”
Also read: Elon Musk Might Not Pay Parag Agrawal the Promised $42M Severance
