Twitter Removes Legacy Verification Checkmarks

Twitter has started removing blue check marks from nonpaying users' accounts, and only paying subscribers who have verified their phone numbers will be verified accounts. Government accounts and some corporate accounts will still maintain verification through a separate set of icons in silver and gold, respectively. Twitter's initial rollout of its verification program was poorly executed, with a high price tag and rampant impersonation of public figures and corporations. The social media platform delayed its rollout. CEO Elon Musk has used his power over the platform to alter the verification and labeling of media outlets, causing some, like NPR and The New York Times, to stop using the platform in an official capacity.