Twitter has begun removing the original blue check marks from users, starting the reform of verification proposed by its owner, Elon Musk.
The blue check mark, once an icon designed to verify one's identity, was removed from the accounts of many journalists, government agencies, and celebrities Thursday. Users will now only be able to get the check mark if they pay an $8 monthly fee for the Twitter Blue premium service. Twitter's @verified account, which follows all accounts that received legacy check marks, followed zero users as of Thursday afternoon.
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Celebrities have started losing their checkmarks as Twitter gets rid of legacy verification, unless they pay for Twitter Blue. pic.twitter.com/nGxfBNsLJu
— Pop Base (@PopBase) April 20, 2023
Musk had criticized the legacy verification process, describing it as "bulls***," "corrupt," and a "lords & peasants system." The SpaceX founder and billionaire announced on April 11 that he was stripping the legacy check marks away on April 20. The date was chosen for its connection to 420, a marijuana-themed number. Twitter initially stated it would start "winding down" the program on April 11 but only removed the tag from the New York Times during that time period.
Having a blue check was pretty meaningless, but losing verification for government agencies and government officers is a real problem.
— Aaron Reichlin-Melnick (@ReichlinMelnick) April 20, 2023
For example, ICE Enforcement and Removal's Twitter account is now unverified. So is ICE HSI, USCIS, and the DHS Office of Inspector General. pic.twitter.com/YFTgpMKnzD
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Twitter introduced the legacy blue check mark system in 2009 after St. Louis Cardinals manager Tony La Russa sued Twitter over someone claiming to be him on the platform.
Twitter has continued to adapt to Musk's vision for its approach to content moderation. It began limiting the visibility of tweets that violated the company's policy on hateful conduct. It also reversed its policy banning referring to transgender people by the gender they do not identify with.