The platform had granted a golden badge to the account in question, normally reserved for “official organizations”.
What is the notion of “certification” worth on Twitter now? Not much since the disappearance of certification badges associated with identity verification on April 20. To bail out the coffers of the company, Elon Musk has set up new offers, so that an account can display a badge. Problem: contrary to what Twitter claims, they are not accompanied by any identity verification.
Distribution of free badges
Over the past few hours, an obscure Twitter account dubbed Disney Junior UK and followed by some 4,500 people, received a gold badge. Unlike the blue badge, which is displayed on the individual account, the gold badge is dedicated to companies. “This account is certified because it is an official organization on Twitter” explains the platform on the profile of the accounts concerned.
The account in question had notably published false information related to the arrival of series (for adults) on Disney, but also racist messages containing in particular the term “nigger”.
However, and like many users – including deceased – the creator of the account does not seem to have made a request to obtain his golden badge. And for good reason: if the blue badge is charged ten euros per month for individuals, companies must pay 1000 euros per month. On Twitter, the owner of the fake Disney account has multiplied the messages of astonishment.
Faced with the refusal of most Twitter users to pay, Elon Musk took the initiative to offer many blue badges and golden badges, for reasons that have not yet been communicated. Among them, the fake Disney account in question. Despite this “certification”, Twitter finally suspended this account on April 24 shortly before 1 p.m.
Previously useful to prevent identity theft, Twitter badges are now marketed as simple digital devices, associated with the paid subscription Twitter Blue. The end of identity verification for influential Twitter accounts raises fears of new risks for online disinformation.
