A simple blue dot disappears and everyone is shaken. On Thursday, 95% of Twitter users with the famous badge, synonymous with celebrity or credibility, saw the icon attached to their name disappear. Upon his arrival at the head of the American social network, Elon Musk made the decision to charge for the authentication of an account, which until then was free.
Motivated by the idea of increasing the platform’s income, the libertarian entrepreneur made the choice to condition obtaining the blue sticker on a paid subscription. For eight dollars per month and the information of a telephone number, a personality or an institution can now acquire the precious sesame.
But the change in policy was met with some skepticism. A tiny fraction of previously distinguished former users subscribed to Twitter Blue: less than 20,000 of the 407,000 profiles concerned, according to researcher Travis Brown. Above all, subscribing to this service is now seen as a symbol of support for Elon Musk. Which doesn’t sit well with many public figures. Yet on Friday and Saturday, a growing number of celebrities returned to blue ticks, seemingly without action on their part, such as writer Stephen King, NBA champion LeBron James or former President Donald Trump.
“Checkmate”
Many personalities have protested the reappearance of the icon on their profile. “Please note that I have not subscribed to Twitter Blue, even though for some mysterious reason my blue tick is appearing again”, declared for example the American author and politician, Rick Wilson.
Progressive economist and Nobel laureate Paul Krugman, who mocked Elon Musk’s “ill-controlled impulsiveness” last July, also saw his status change on Saturday. “I have nothing to do with it and I certainly do not pay” he justified himself in the process. The Twitter, Tesla and SpaceX boss responded with an image of a baby smeared in tomato sauce, crying over his plate of pasta and wearing a badge-stamped bib. Friday, the leader had indicated that he “personally paid some subscriptions”.
“On my soul I didn’t pay for Twitter Blue, Tesla man you’ll feel my wrath pass!” tweeted American rapper Lil Nas X. Many official media accounts, like this one New York Times, who had lost his certification in early April after Elon Musk called the information published there “propaganda”, have also regained their badge. A situation of great confusion which seems to rejoice Elon Musk. “Checkmate,” he mysteriously tweeted on Saturday, amid speculation.