X, formerly Twitter, is allowing verified users to hide their verification badges.
Verified users have noticed a new option in their profile settings called “hide your blue checkmark.” This option allows users to hide the fact that they pay for X/Twitter.
The description of the setting explains, “The checkmark will be hidden on your profile and posts. The checkmark may still appear in some places, and some features could still reveal you have an active subscription. Some features may not be available while your checkmark is hidden.”
The verification system, known as Twitter Blue, provides users with a verification badge and other features for an $8 monthly subscription fee. However, this feature is not widely popular as some users see the blue checkmark as a sign that the user is a fan of X owner Elon Musk. There is also resentment towards the fact that people can pay to have their content boosted on the site.
Earlier this year, Mr. Musk changed the way verification worked. Initially, Twitter users went through a lengthy vetting process by moderators to become verified. The blue check badge indicated that the account owner was legitimate. However, after the changes, anyone with money could purchase verification, leading to the launch of many fake profiles that caused confusion for weeks.
This change comes as Mr. Musk is rebranding Twitter to X, the “everything app.” Twitter Blue will eventually be renamed X Blue.
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