Technology News: X’s random restoration of blue checks causes further verification confusion

Elon Musk’s X (formerly Twitter) has caused a stir by randomly granting free blue checkmarks to certain accounts, sparking confusion and mixed reactions among users.

Traditionally, blue checkmarks on Twitter were reserved for high-profile accounts such as celebrities and politicians. However, since Musk’s takeover of the platform last October, the rules surrounding verification have been upended.

Initially, X began charging $8 monthly for verification, leading to the removal of blue checks from numerous A-listers and the proliferation of fake checkmarks. Now, in a surprising turn of events, a number of users have suddenly found themselves with complimentary blue checks.

From unknown accounts to well-known celebrities like Yvette Nicole Brown, the unexpected distribution of free blue checkmarks has elicited both joy and frustration. Brown herself took to Twitter to express her disbelief at the uninvited return of her blue badge, stating, “I didn’t pay for this. I would NEVER pay for this.”

Musk recently announced that accounts with over 2,500 verified followers would receive free Premium perks, including blue checks, while those with over 5,000 followers would be upgraded to the Premium+ tier at no cost. However, the specifics of this new policy shift remain unclear, with some users only receiving a vague notification labeling them as “influential members of the community.”

While some users have welcomed their unexpected verification, others have voiced concerns about being mistaken for paying for the blue checkmark. This latest development adds to X’s existing challenges with content moderation, misinformation, and a decline in advertiser support.