In the lead-up to becoming Twitter’s CEO, Elon Musk made several public indications of his plans for the platform. In addition to several other promised reforms, Musk has expressed his desire to update Twitter’s blue-check mark verification system.
The fate of the platform’s verification system has been a sticking point for many of Musk’s critics. Regardless of perceived implications, the reality is that Twitter’s verification system is on the verge of unprecedented change. Unfortunately, the current state of chaos makes it hard to determine what is going on.
In this piece, we will look at what is happening with Twitter’s verification system. We will also assess the accessibility of these changes.
Verification before Musk
Before Elon Musk’s public acquisition of Twitter, the verification system was relatively straightforward.
Twitter began its Verified Accounts program in 2009 at the behest of celebrities who complained about impersonator accounts. As part of the program, Twitter would reach out to public figures to confirm their identity and place a small blue checkmark next to their username once verified.
The process for getting a blue check varied over the next 13 years. At times, Twitter had full discretion over verification. At other times, public users could apply for the blue check mark.
Criteria included accounts that were authentic, notable, and active. And by 2021, verification was available to companies, brands, and influential individuals such as activists.
Changes to verification
Twitter’s verification system began to change upon Musk’s official acquisition in October 2022.
Twitter verification became part of the new Twitter Blue subscription program. Through the program, users could acquire verified status if they paid a monthly fee of $8.
But this increased the risk of impersonator accounts. Musk said that users who made fake accounts would face permanent suspension from the platform. Nonetheless, a flood of fake accounts soon permeated Twitter.
The company responded by announcing that it would add another tier to the verification system to combat the onslaught of bot accounts. Twitter then rolled out the gray check system but quickly removed it later the same day.
Where we’re at now
At the time of writing, Twitter has introduced a new tier system for its verification program. Verified users will receive different-colored checkmarks based on the nature of their work.
Companies will receive a gold check, government officials will receive a gray check, and all others will receive a blue check. Musk announced these changes via a tweet on November 25, 2022, and added that all verified accounts would go through a manual verification process before the check activates.
In another tweet, Musk stated:
“All verified individual humans will have same blue check, as boundary of what constitutes “notable” is otherwise too subjective.
Individuals can have a secondary tiny logo showing they belong to an org if verified as such by that org.”
Accessibility of the new verification system
As with all the other changes at Twitter, it’s important to assess the accessibility implications of this new verification system. For one thing, the subscription-based system presents a bit of a mixed bag.
On the one hand, it allows more access for people to achieve verified status. Verified status can give users more of a platform.
On the other hand, the pay-to-play nature of the new system makes it more vulnerable to trolls, impersonator accounts, and misinformation. All of these can be a hindrance to accessibility.
Trolls with a platform, for example, can make Twitter less friendly for users with disabilities.
Additionally, rampant misinformation makes it harder to spread the truth, which is especially worrisome for organizations trying to educate people about accessibility practices.
Another thing to bear in mind is the tier system of verification. Each tier of verification is differentiated by color, which may present accessibility challenges, especially for individuals with visual impairments who may be unable to perceive color.
Concluding thoughts
If the last year has taught us anything about Twitter, it’s that policies can change at a moment’s notice or a new day’s headline. The same may be said about the updated verification system.
As it stands, however, the new verification system leaves a lot to be desired.
At the time of writing, Twitter is delaying the launch of Twitter Blue due to negotiations with Apple.
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