- Twitter ends certification blue badge for public figures
- Elon Musk had announced it, considering this badge unfair
- Certification is only possible by paying for a Twitter Blue subscription, which can have harmful consequences, particularly in terms of false information and moderation
Thing promised, thing done. Elon Musk ended Thursday, April 20, 2023 the system of blue certification badges on Twitter which made it possible to distinguish authentic accounts from public figures, media, companies or experts. From now on, only subscribers to Twitter Blue, the social network’s paid offer, can display the authentication button on their profile. The others have to make do with a gray badge for state bodies or a yellow badge for companies.
This decision, announced by Twitter CEO Elon Musk in November 2022, has sparked many reactions and questions about the consequences it will have on the operation and credibility of the platform.
Why this change?
Elon Musk, who bought Twitter in November 2022, justified this change by his desire to end a system he considered unfair and arbitrary. According to him, the blue badge created a separation between users depending on whether or not they had a blue tick, and favored ideological or political biases. He also claimed that the blue badge was not a badge of credibility, but rather a symbol of social status.
By removing the blue badge for non-paying accounts, Elon Musk also hopes encourage users to subscribe to Twitter Blue, which offers several advantages: more visibility on published content, technical privileges, and fewer advertisements. This strategy aims above all to resuscitate Twitter’s finances, which were already fragile before the takeover and which deteriorated with the departure of advertisers, following the very permissive freedom of expression policy put in place by Elon Musk.
What are the consequences ?
The removal of the blue badge had the immediate effect of causing many public figures to lose their mark, such as Pope Francis, singer Lady Gaga and footballer Kylian Mbappé. Some expressed their dissatisfaction or misunderstanding on the social network, while others were ironic about the situation. Some politicians picked up a gray badge in the process, while others opted to subscribe to Twitter Blue to regain their blue tick.
Beyond the anecdotal aspect, the removal of the blue badge also raises more serious questions about the reliability and verification of information on Twitter. Indeed, the blue badge was a way to recognize the official accounts of credible news sources, and distinguish them from fakes or parodies. Without this visual cue, it becomes more difficult for users to know who they are dealing with and to filter out misleading or misleading content. This could promote the spread of false information or rumors on the social network.
Moreover, Elon Musk himself caused trouble a few weeks ago by removing the BBC certification badge. A fake UK national news channel account, which had paid for the Twitter Blue subscription, was able to spoof the BBC account for some time.
Moreover, the removal of the blue badge could also have an impact on the influence and the notoriety of public figures on Twitter. Indeed, the blue badge was a sign of recognition and legitimacy for the accounts that had obtained it, and gave them a certain authority and visibility on the platform. Without this distinctive badge, they risk losing credibility and popularity with users. Worse, they could also have their identities stolen.
