Listen to this article Twitter Removes Verified Badge from New York Times After Refusal to Pay for Twitter Blue
Introduction
On Sunday, Twitter removed the verified badge from the New York Times’ main account at the request of Elon Musk, following the news organization’s decision not to pay for Twitter Blue.Furthermore this move has raised concerns about impersonation and reflects Musk’s ongoing grudge against US journalists who have reported critically on him.
The Removal of Verification Badges
Twitter had previously announced its plan to wind down its traditional verification program, which for years applied blue checkmark icons to the accounts of verified companies, journalists, and public figures. In its place, Twitter is implementing a pay-for-play system that would grant the verified badge to anyone who pays for it. Twitter Blue, which costs $8 a month for subscribers, provides the verified badge, while businesses wanting verification will be charged $1,000 a month.
The Times’ Refusal to Pay
The New York Times, The Washington Post, and other news organizations had announced their refusal to pay for verification for their news organizations or journalists. The Times did, however, mention that there could be some rare exceptions where the mark could “be essential for reporting purposes.” The Times has made it clear that it is not planning to pay the monthly fee for verification.
Musk’s Involvement
Elon Musk’s involvement in the removal of the verified badge is believed to be personal, given his history of grudges against journalists who have reported critically on him. In response to a meme outlining the Times’ decision to not pay for verification, Musk tweeted late Saturday night, “Oh ok, we’ll take it off then.” Musk also made several attacks on the Times, stating that “their propaganda isn’t even interesting.”
Impersonation Risks and Concerns
The removal of the verified badge from the New York Times’ main account raises concerns about impersonation on the platform. The move will make it harder for Twitter users to distinguish between legitimate and fake accounts, and pranksters and trolls on the platform have already begun changing their names and photos to mimic celebrities, companies, and politicians.
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