Twitter has started removing the blue checkmarks from legacy verified accounts, including those belonging to celebrities, politicians, and journalists, as part of the company’s long-standing plans for the social media platform.
The move, which began on April 20, affects accounts whose users are reluctant to pay $8 monthly for the traditional blue badge.
“Tomorrow, 4/20, we are removing legacy verified checkmarks,” Twitter announced on Wednesday, adding that users who want to retain their verified status should sign up for Twitter Blue.
Many high-profile individuals who were previously verified have lost their status, including Justin Bieber, Katy Perry, Cristiano Ronaldo, Lady Gaga, Kim Kardashian, and Selena Gomez.
In Nigeria, prominent figures like Peter Obi, Atiku Abubakar, Bola Tinubu, Davido, and Wizkid have also lost their legacy verification status.
This latest move by Twitter has raised concerns about the potential for impersonation of high-profile users and the authenticity of information on the platform.
It remains to be seen how this will impact the social media landscape in the coming weeks and months.
