Elon Musk introduced Twitter Blue last year in order to generate profit for the company. Last year, the policy backfired after several users started buying verified badges and started renaming their account names to famous celebrities and or brands. It was quickly halted.
Now, the social media giant has reintroduced the policy this time and has ended all the legacy badges from the platform. However, another issue has emerged as the account of some dead celebrities have also received blue check marks. So let’s find out the details.
Related: Lawsuit Time: Elon Musk Is Planning To Take Microsoft To Court Over Illegal Use Of Twitter API
Elon Musk’s Twitter Adds Verified Badges To Dead Celebrity Accounts
Over the weekend, Elon Musk‘s Twitter started giving verification badges to random accounts, which include the accounts of some deceased celebrities like Chadwick Boseman.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, Kobe Bryant, Anthony Bourdain, Norm Macdonald, and Michael Jackson’s accounts have also received the blue check mark. The list also includes some names that had lost their badges last week.
This includes Kim Kardashian, director James Gunn, and Lil Nas X. Recently, Musk revealed that he is personally paying the monthly fee for LeBron James, William Shatner, and Stephen King.
While it is still unclear whether these decisions were taken on a whim or were technical glitches. But the rollout of Twitter Blue has been filled with certain confusion and uncertainty.
In case you missed: Why Is Elon Musk “Personally” Paying For Some Twitter User’s Verification Badges?
Musk Engages In A Twitter Feud With Stephen King
Novelist Stephen King has been a vocal critic of Musk and his Twitter acquisition. King took to Twitter to respond to the news that Musk has been paying for his blue check mark.
“I think Mr. Musk should give my blue check to charity,” King wrote. “I recommend the Prytula Foundation, which provides lifesaving services in Ukraine. It’s only $8, so perhaps Mr. Musk could add a bit more.”
Musk replied: “I’ve donated $100M to Ukraine, how much have you donated?” He also said that SpaceX has received a financial blow for providing Starlink service in Ukraine as the US Defence Ministry isn’t supporting them.
After the legacy badges were removed from the platform, King wrote: “My Twitter account says I’ve subscribed to Twitter Blue. I haven’t. My Twitter account says I’ve given a phone number. I haven’t.”
You might also like to read: Is Elon Musk Developing His Own AI Startup To Rival ChatGPT?
