Elon Musk reinstates thousands of blue ticks to Twitter users after making rule

After the controversial Twitter Blue subscription service came to light when Elon Musk took over the social media platform, many were quick to call out the new feature.

Instead of the once free verification service which provided prominent accounts with a blue tick, there is now a monthly charge of $8.

In light of the new feature rolling out, Musk supposedly went on a mass purge of Twitter on Friday (20 April) to remove blue ticks from at least a million users.

But now, they’re back and some of the users reinstated with a blue verification are actually deceased.

This bizarre turn of events has taken Twitter by storm, with many celebrities calling out the move publicly.

For instance, Chrissy Teigen tweeted: “Wait I’m crying they’re giving them for punishment now.”

The model and wife of singer John Legend seemed to be against the subscription badges and said: “It won’t go away.”

After such support for the legacy blue check verification before the rolled-out change, this has led to many large accounts refusing to endorse Twitter Blue and what it stands for.

Initially, the original blue tick was created in order to prevent the spread of misinformation, identity theft through fake celebrity accounts and to show who could be a trusted source online.

Now, it seems as though anyone and everyone has access to the subscription service which some feel dampens the meaning and verification of the tick process itself.

But that’s not all.

When the blue ticks reappeared back on accounts on Saturday (22 April) it misleadingly displays that the accounts are verified, but not via the legacy verification - but because they are subscribed to Twitter Blue, the paid service.

This mishap even went as far as to appear on the accounts of users that have sadly passed away, such as Anthony Bourdain, Kobe Bryant, Chadwick Boseman which brings into question the authenticity of Twitter Blue and the consent needed to apply.

While still a mystery, thankfully Teigen has discovered a way to make the tick disappear.

She tweeted: “It’s gone! OK everyone be quiet no one move.”

When a commenter responded to her asking: “What the f**k did I do to deserve this” when he saw his very own blue tick on his account, Teigen gave him some good advice.

She said: “Change your name and it triggers a checkmark removal. But then don’t talk about it again or you will get another. “Im serious lol.”

The reason for many people receiving Twitter Blue badges without consent may not be as surprising as once thought though, as Musk has admitted to 'personally paying' for the Twitter Blue subscriptions for celebrities such as Stephen King, William Shatner and LeBron James.

But will he now take the blue badges away from those deceased celebrities?

Regardless, a few have come forward about getting their badges back, such as comedian Ricky Gervais who sent out a tweet in celebration.

He said: "My Blue Tick has reappeared. I can only assume this is a gift for all of the bath pics over the years."

Though, many feel as though this is misleading the public into thinking that they have paid for Twitter Blue and they've spoken out.

Drag legend Trixie Mattel tweeted: "I did not pay for twitter Blue you f***ing pig!"

Topics: Elon Musk, Ricky Gervais, Social Media, Twitter

Britt Jones