Twitter has recently removed the verified blue ticks from the accounts of several prominent personalities in India, including Bollywood actors Salman Khan and Akshay Kumar, as well as cricketer Virat Kohli. The blue tick was used to verify the identity of these accounts and distinguish them from fake or impersonator accounts on the platform.
This move comes as Twitter has started implementing its new policy of removing the blue ticks from accounts that do not pay a monthly fee to maintain their verification status. The blue tick was previously seen as a symbol of authenticity and credibility on Twitter, as it indicated that the account holder’s identity had been verified by the platform.
Tomorrow, 4/20, we are removing legacy verified checkmarks. To remain verified on Twitter, individuals can sign up for Twitter Blue here: https://t.co/gzpCcwOXAX
Organizations can sign up for Verified Organizations here: https://t.co/YtPVNYypHU
— Twitter Verified (@verified) April 19, 2023
Notable Indian personalities, such as Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, have also lost their blue ticks due to this policy change. This has caused a stir among their fans and followers, as the blue tick was seen as a mark of distinction for these influential figures.
Twitter has stated that the decision to remove blue ticks from accounts that do not meet their verification requirements is part of their efforts to combat misinformation and fake accounts on their platform. However, this move has faced criticism from some users who argue that it unfairly targets verified accounts that may not have chosen to pay the monthly fee for various reasons.
The removal of blue ticks has sparked a debate on the role of verification on social media platforms, with some arguing that it should be based solely on the authenticity of an account and not on whether the account holder pays a fee. Others believe the blue tick should be reserved for public figures and celebrities, while regular users should not have access to it.
Twitter has stated that they are reviewing its verification policy and considering feedback from users and the public. Meanwhile, many verified account holders in India and worldwide are left without their blue ticks, raising questions about the significance and fairness of this feature on social media platforms.