X, formerly known as Twitter, has gone through so many changes that some users still don't agree with. One of them is the Premium subscription which has replaced the verification system for influential users. While it's partly developed to combat bot accounts, it might even be failing at that.
X's Persistent Bot Problem
Bots are a common problem a lot of social media platforms have, and while some have used other measures, X owner Elon Musk resorted to using a paid subscription to determine whether an account is used by a person or an impersonator.
It looks like even bot accounts can get Premium accounts now too to obtain the blue check mark, so what's the point of it? A senior journalist from Tech Crunch, for instance, found that there was a complete copy of her account down to the profile and header photo, and it was verified.
Not only did someone create a duplicate account, they even managed to make it look legitimate just by paying the $8 subscription fee. The writer, Rebecca Bellan, confirmed that she was not a paid subscriber or a fan of the tech billionaire.
What's worse is that she's not the only one within the publication to have the problem. While the accounts have since been reported and removed, it already proves that impersonation, despite the verification measures X has, is still an existing issue.
When someone impersonates you, it will also be you who will be hassled when you report it. The platform will lead you to a third-party verification process, and you will have to submit a government-issued ID and take a selfie to verify that you are who you say you are.
These instances just prove that the paid subscription for verifying their account is something they can do without. Users can still pay the monthly $8 if they intend to use the added features, but if it's solely for being a credible account, it won't really do much anymore.
Musk is Slowly Bringing Back the Legacy Blue Check
A lot of people were devastated to learn that the legacy blue checks were being removed, especially those who earned them by working hard to be influential individuals. Now, anyone with $8 to spare can get the once-coveted blue check mark.
What was once a sign of credibility has been rendered useless since technically anyone can have it. While the verification tag has not returned to the exclusivity it once had, X is once again adding the verification tag to influential users.
As reported by Variety, Musk has restored the blue check marks to popular users. Some of the profiles that were bestowed free verification include Kim Kardashian, Justin Bieber, Oprah Winfrey, Beyoncé, and many other popular names in various industries.
The funny thing is that some celebrities resent the free verification, clarifying on the platform that they did not nor will they ever pay for X Premium. It's understandable since the check marks' status is now gone since it can so easily be bought.
