Elon Musk’s platform X, formerly known as Twitter, has started reinstating complimentary blue checks for some users. These blue checks were previously reserved for celebrities and influential accounts and were removed for many users after Musk bought the platform for $44 billion in October 2022. Last year, X started issuing verification checks only to those who paid a monthly fee of $8, leading to confusion and complaints among users. However, Musk announced that accounts with more than 2,500 verified subscriber followers would get Premium features, including a checkmark, for free going forward.
The specific reasoning behind this new policy was not immediately clear, and X did not respond to requests for comment. While some users were excited about the verification, others were frustrated, with actress Yvette Nicole Brown expressing disbelief that she would have to pay for the service. Some users even shared instructions on how to remove the blue check from their accounts. The blue check has also become a signal of support for X’s new ownership and subscription model, causing further controversy among users.
In addition to the blue checks, X has been facing backlash from users and advertisers over concerns about content moderation, misinformation, and hate speech on the platform under Musk’s ownership. Big-name brands such as IBM and NBCUniversal stopped advertising on X after their ads were found next to pro-Nazi content. Musk responded with a rant accusing these companies of blackmail. X has also attempted to sue organizations that have documented hate speech and racism on the platform, leading to a federal judge dismissing a suit against a non-profit organization.
The return of blue checks has sparked mixed reactions among X users, with some appreciating the verification while others see it as a symbol of the platform’s new subscription model. Some users received notifications stating that they were being given the Premium subscription for free as influential members of the X community. Despite ongoing controversies surrounding content moderation and advertiser backlash, X continues to navigate challenges under Musk’s leadership. The platform is striving to win back ad dollars, its main revenue source, amidst concerns about hate speech and misinformation on the platform.
