In a surprising turn of events, social media behemoth Platform X is revoking the ability of its Premium users to hide their blue verification checkmarks. This decision comes after X upgraded accounts with a high number of verified followers to Premium for free.
“X giveth, and now X taketh away,” read a notification received by several Premium users, signaling the end of an option that allowed them to choose whether to display the iconic blue checkmark. When the blue badge transformed from a symbol of authenticity into a purchasable commodity after X shifted to a paid verification system under Elon Musk’s leadership.
Once a mark of distinction and credibility, the blue checkmark lost its prestige as it became merely an indicator of a paid Premium subscription. The update last summer made it optional to display this checkmark, which was a relief for some users who faced online harassment or did not wish to be associated with the stigma that began to cling to the verification badge.
Platform X has not only rescinded the hiding feature but also, in a bewildering move, automatically upgraded accounts with a substantial number of verified followers to Premium status, assigning them blue checks whether they sought them or not. This unexpected generosity left many new blue-check-marked users opting to hide their verification to evade the recent stigma— a choice that is now being taken away.
The changes in verification status have led to a complex stratification within X, with a blue checkmark no longer serving as a reliable indicator of an account’s authenticity or its owner’s significance. Recent introduction of blue checks to influential users with a high count of verified followers, regardless of whether these users have paid for the privilege or not.
While the blue checkmarks have historically acted as a deterrent against impersonation and fraud, their metamorphosis into a paid feature undermined that security purpose. The implications of the switch were substantial— the checkmarks could be bought, which not only diluted their value as a status symbol but also as a verification tool.
This latest development is part of a broader pattern of erratic decision-making at X, as the platform continues to grapple with trust and safety issues, from misinformation to harassment and abusive content. The removal of the ability to hide blue checks seems to be another step in the ever-changing vision of the platform’s verification system under its new ownership.
As for the timeline and exact motives behind this decision, the platform remains silent. Users, meanwhile, are left navigating the changing landscape of social media verification. For many, represents something far more complicated and perhaps less desirable.
Relevant articles:
– X’s Premium users can no longer hide their blue checks
– X is removing the ability to hide checkmarks for premium users, TechCrunch, Fri, 12 Apr 2024 04:25:00 GMT
– Elon Musk’s X Removes Ability To Hide Blue Tick For Premium Users, Times Now, Fri, 12 Apr 2024 04:06:26 GMT
– X removes option to hide blue verification checkmarks, NewsBytes, Fri, 12 Apr 2024 04:29:19 GMT