Elon Musk stated that Twitter will charge $8 (£7) per month to customers who want a blue checkmark next to their name to indicate a verified account.
As part of adjustments following a $44 billion (£38 billion) acquisition of the social media site, Mr. Musk stated that it was “crucial to combat spam/scam.”
A username with a blue checkmark next to it, which is often reserved for prominent persons, is presently available.
Critics say that the change could make it more difficult to recognize credible sources.
Mr. Musk, the wealthiest person in the world, noted that premium customers will receive precedence in replies and searches, as well as half as many ads.
“To the people the power! Blue for $8/month,” the billionaire remarked on Twitter, denouncing the former technique of blue tick authentication as a “lords and peasants system”.
However, former Twitter Head of Global Policy Communications Nu Wexler cautioned that charging for blue checkmarks could make it more difficult to identify misinformation.
Verification is one of the methods journalists, academic researchers, and some consumers employ to filter out disinformation or low-quality material on platforms where disinformation is a problem.
“Providing blue checks for rent makes it more difficult to sort through misinformation and locate high-quality information.”
Formerly, Twitter’s technique for confirming users for a blue tick consisted of a brief online application form reserved for those whose identities were susceptible to imitation, such as celebrities, politicians, and journalists.
In 2009, the business implemented the system in response to a lawsuit accusing it of not doing enough to prevent fake accounts.
However, Mr. Musk still faces a formidable obstacle as he attempts to revamp Twitter’s business, which has not produced a profit in years.
He has stated that he intends to lessen Twitter’s dependency on advertising, even though several corporations have expressed anxiety regarding advertising on the site under his leadership.
General Motors, a competitor of Mr. Musk’s electric car business Tesla, announced last week that it would cease advertising on the website.
A media buyer for a large advertising agency told that several major businesses have temporarily suspended advertising on the site pending the outcome of Mr. Musk’s alterations.
IPG, one of the world’s largest advertising agencies, urged its clients on Monday to pause Twitter advertisements for one week, citing the need for greater clarification regarding Twitter’s measures to preserve “trust and safety” on the network. Some of the world’s largest corporations give IPG billions of pounds annually to manage their marketing budgets.
Initially, it was reported that the monthly fee for blue tick rights would be $20 (£18). This prompted skepticism regarding the fee.
Many on the platform agreed with the author Stephen King, who said in response to stories of alterations that Twitter “should pay me.”
Mr. Musk wrote to Mr. King, “We must find a way to pay the bills!”
