What is the value of the notion of “certification” on Twitter now? Not much since the disappearance of the certification badges associated with identity verification on April 20. To rescue the coffers of the company, Elon Musk has set up new offers, so that an account can show a badge. Problem: Contrary to what Twitter claims, they are not accompanied by any identity verification.
Distribution of free badges.
In the past few hours, an obscure Twitter account called Disney Junior UK and followed by around 4,500 people has been given a gold badge. Unlike the blue badge, which is displayed on the individual account, the gold badge is dedicated to businesses. “This account is certified because it is an official organization on Twitter,” explains the platform in the profile of the accounts in question.
The account in question had published, in particular, false information related to the arrival of (adult) series on Disney, but also racist messages containing, in particular, the term “nigger”.
However, and like many users -including the deceased-, the creator of the account does not seem to have made a request to obtain his golden badge. And for good reason: if the blue badge charges individuals ten euros a month, companies must pay 1000 euros a month. On Twitter, the owner of the fake Disney account has multiplied the messages of astonishment.
Faced with the refusal of most Twitter users to pay, Elon Musk took the initiative to offer many blue badges and gold badges, for reasons that have not yet been communicated. Among them, the fake Disney account in question. Despite this “certification,” Twitter eventually suspended this account on April 24 shortly before 1 p.m.
Previously useful to prevent identity theft, Twitter badges are now being marketed as simple digital gadgets, associated with the paid Twitter Blue subscription. The end of identity verification for influential Twitter accounts raises fears of new risks for online misinformation.
Source: BFM TV
