X Users Surprised by Sudden Blue Ticks: Twitter's Policy Shift

This policy change and its implications reflect the evolving dynamics of online platforms under different leadership and the challenges of managing user verification and safety in a rapidly changing digital landscape.

Policy Change on X Platform:

• X users find themselves unexpectedly receiving blue ticks on their accounts.
• This follows a major policy shift on the platform, causing confusion among users.
• "Influential" users are granted a Premium subscription, which includes the blue tick icon.

Premium Subscription and Blue Ticks:

• Users with a large number of verified followers who are paying subscribers are receiving the badges.
• Elon Musk's takeover of the platform in late 2022 initiated the latest changes to the verification system.
• Messages received by users indicate that the platform is offering a complimentary subscription to X Premium to influential community members.

Implementation of Musk's Policy:

• Musk previously announced that accounts with over 2,500 verified subscriber followers would receive Premium features for free.
• Accounts with more than 5,000 followers would be granted complimentary Premium+ features, the highest subscription tier.

Background on Twitter Verification:

• Under the old system, Twitter verified the authenticity of accounts, awarding badges to public figures, celebrities, businesses, journalists, media organizations, and government agencies.
• The verification badge was intended to signify that the account's identity had been verified, but it gained prestige over time.

Impact of Musk's Changes:

• Musk's subscription system made it challenging for users to identify authentic accounts, leading to misinformation spreading on the platform.
• Several online safety groups and research studies have reported an increase in misinformation since the introduction of Musk's changes.
• Some advertisers have reduced or withdrawn their advertising on the platform, prompting X to seek new revenue streams.

Reactions to Blue Tick Return:

• Recipients of the returning blue tick, including Jon Sopel and David Baddiel, expressed surprise at the update.
• Social media expert Matt Navarra characterized the update as a U-turn from Musk's previous stance on the verification system.
• Navarra noted a shift in perception, with users now viewing the blue tick as more of an embarrassment than a badge of honor.

Appointment of Head of Safety:

• X has confirmed Kylie McRoberts as the new head of safety, nine months after her predecessor left the firm.