The new owner of the social network notably defended the upcoming launch of a paid subscription for users wishing to use the blue authentication mark.
Criticized from all sides after an intense first week at the head of Twitter, Elon Musk defended tooth and nail his flagship projects this weekend, including the upcoming launch of a paid subscription for users wanting the famous blue authentication mark . “Verification extended to all will democratize journalism and empower the people“, he tweeted on Sunday.
The multi-billionaire is struggling to reassure associations, advertisers and even the United Nations, who fear a surge of hate speech and misinformation on the network, especially after he fired half of the group’s employees on Friday.
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Until now, eligible accounts (government, media, political, cultural, etc.) could have a blue checkmark added to their profile as a sign of authenticity. As soon as he acquired Twitter ten days ago, the Tesla boss launched an overhaul of this system, so that everyone could obtain the famous badge, and other practical tools, by subscribing to “Twitter Bluefor $8 a month.
On iPhones, the social network’s mobile application already mentions the arrival of the new formula, but its launch has been postponed to Wednesday, the day after the US parliamentary elections, according to the New York Times. «Power to the people: Your account will receive a blue tick, just like the celebrities, businesses and politicians you already follow“, now promises Twitter.
“Twitter must become by far the most reliable source of information on the world”
But for many observers, the certification of accounts must make it possible to guarantee the authenticity of exchanges on the platform. They fear in particular the eruption of false certified accounts. “In the future, Twitter accounts that impersonate someone else, without clearly specifying “parody”will be permanently suspendedsaid Elon Musk on Sunday. “Any name change will cause a temporary loss of the blue tick“, he added.
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He also mentioned that pseudonyms are still allowed as long as they do not seek to “deceive for malicious purposesand talked about creating a different brand for public figures. “Twitter must become by far the most reliable source of information on the world. It’s our mission“, did he declare.
«And to do that, I’m going to let anyone give me money to appear as a legitimate source of information, instead of guaranteeing that all legitimate sources of information are properly authenticated.“, reacted a user. “You illustrate the problem“retorted Elon Musk. “Journalists who think they are the only legitimate source of information is the big lie».