On Tuesday, November 8, Twitter introduced a new feature of a grey checkmark label accorded to high-profile accounts to indicate authenticity.
The latest news introduced another twist into new owner Elon Musk’s overhaul of the social platform's verification system.
Twitter's current system uses a freely acquired blue checkmark label to confirm an account’s authenticity, a move Musk plans to overthrow by enforcing a monthly subscription fee of Ksh 975 ($8).
In new developments, Esther Crawford, a director of product management at the company, shared a screenshot that showed Twitter’s official account having the grey checkmark and an 'official' label beneath the account handle.
Below are notable features the app has introduced since changing guard under Musk's leadership.
Blue Tick Account
Among some of the recent major changes fronted by Musk was the introduction of an opt-in Ksh975 ($8) monthly subscription fee for tweeps requiring the blue checkmark.
Members who subscribe to the blue checkmark will enjoy several new features, including a priority in replies, mentions and search results and an ability to post long video and audio clips.
Users will also experience fewer advertisements.
The blue feature, which was initially installed to counter impersonation and fraud, enjoyed a public view of being a status symbol that implied Twitter's approval.
Twitter came under sharp criticism from users opposed to the new fee, but the new owner remained adamant on a turn-around surrounding the decision, which he communicated was primarily a means to raise revenue.
The new changes already began taking effect in countries like Australia under the Twitter Blue subscription service.
Grey Tick Account
The screenshot posted on Tuesday, November 8, by Crawford on her Twitter page showed Twitter’s official account having a grey checkmark and an ‘official’ label underneath the account handle.
Notably, the shared image also portrays its regular blue checkmark, meaning that accounts can concurrently run with both blue and grey checkmarks.
The grey mark is free and will be used to authenticate public interest accounts.
"Not all previously verified accounts will get the “Official” label and the label is not available for purchase. Accounts that will receive it include government accounts, commercial companies, business partners, major media outlets, publishers and some public figures." Crawford explained.
Parody Account
Musk announced on Monday, November 7, that Twitter handles impersonating others without indicating 'parody' will be permanently suspended.
He further revealed that the action would not require any prior warning.
Other Changes
The company communicated its intention to continue experimenting with new ways to differentiate various account types amid a planned improvement of Twitter's in-app search.
Twitter is reported to have initiated massive layoffs, and large advertisers have pulled down their products following concerns that Musk may relax content moderation policies.
The trendsetting app, however, is not slacking in proving that it has good intentions for its users, following an announcement that it will soon enable the attachment of long-form text to tweets and a monetization plan for content creators.
