In a move that has left many high-profile Twitter users red-faced, the social media platform has removed blue ticks from several big names. Among those who lost their checkmarks were Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan, cricket legend Virat Kohli, and veteran actor Amitabh Bachchan.
The blue tick is Twitter’s way of verifying the authenticity of a user’s account, and is seen as a symbol of credibility and status. Losing the blue tick can be a blow to one’s reputation, especially for those in the public eye.
Twitter has not given a reason for the removal of the blue ticks, but it is widely speculated that it may be part of the platform’s efforts to crack down on fake or inactive accounts.
However, the move has not gone down well with Twitter users, who have criticized the platform for its inconsistent policies. Many have pointed out that while some high-profile accounts have lost their blue ticks, others who have been inactive for years or have been accused of spreading misinformation still retain their verified status.
This latest controversy comes on the heels of Twitter’s announcement that it is testing a paid subscription service called Twitter Blue, which will give users access to exclusive features such as an “undo tweet” button and the ability to organize their saved tweets into folders.
Paid Blue Tick Service – Twitter faces wide spread skepticism
But many Twitter users have expressed skepticism about the new service, saying that they are not willing to pay for features that should be included in the free version of the platform. Some have also pointed out that Twitter should be focusing on improving its existing features and addressing issues such as harassment and hate speech, rather than introducing new paid services.
Twitter has not yet responded to the criticism, but it remains to be seen how the platform will address the backlash from both the removal of blue ticks and the proposed launch of Twitter Blue.
