Musk’s Twitter promised a purge of blue check marks. Instead he singled out the New York Times
On a seemingly ordinary Saturday, many VIP Twitter users braced themselves for the anticipated loss of their blue verification check marks, a consequence of Elon Musk’s controversial overhaul of the platform’s verification system. This purge, initially announced by Musk, aimed to strip verification from users who did not subscribe to Twitter Blue, the platform’s paid service. However, as users logged in, they found themselves still sporting their coveted blue badges, leading to confusion and speculation about the criteria being used for verification. Instead of a widespread removal of check marks, it appeared that Twitter had zeroed in on a specific account from a major publication that Musk has openly criticized, raising questions about the fairness and transparency of the verification process.
In a further twist, Twitter altered the language on its site regarding the verification process, obscuring the reasons why certain users were verified. This change has sparked a debate about the platform’s commitment to transparency and the integrity of its verification system. Critics argue that targeting specific accounts based on personal animosities undermines the purpose of verification, which is intended to authenticate the identities of public figures and organizations. The situation highlights the ongoing tensions within Twitter under Musk’s leadership, where the lines between personal vendettas and platform policies appear increasingly blurred. As the social media landscape continues to evolve, this incident serves as a stark reminder of the challenges and controversies surrounding digital verification and the responsibilities of platform owners in maintaining a fair and unbiased environment.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZOYhj4kaJA0
Some VIP Twitter users woke up on Saturday expecting to have lost their coveted blue verification check marks in a previously announced purge by Elon Musk. Instead, Twitter appeared to target a single account from a major publication Musk dislikes and changed the language on its site in a way that obscures why users are verified.
