The chosen date raises questions, but the idea hardly surprises. On April 1, certified accounts – that is to say those who have the little blue badge – should fall back into relative anonymity. Concretely, the Twitter support announced that from this date, only people subscribed to the Twitter Blue program could benefit from the certification. An idea that is surprising in terms of relevance and security, but which ultimately sticks with the philosophy of the mogul who owns Twitter and his consumerist logic.
Historically, and even if it was debated as the process sometimes seemed opaque, Twitter’s certification program made it possible to grant some confidence to media accounts, journalists, politicians or entrepreneurs. A way to fight against identity theft and misinformation, on a social network where humor, sarcasm, and manipulation are regularly practiced. A certification which also prevented certain actions, for example modifying his identity on his account. From now on, anyone who has paid for the Twitter Blue program will be able to declare themselves a journalist, mayor of any town, or another far-fetched idea.
Note, however, that some accounts will retain their certification without additional steps, such as members of a government (grey badge), brands (golden badge), or people certified by their company (already on subscription).
THE pay-to-win arrives on a social network
The Twitter Blue subscription, charged around ten euros in France and now available everywhere in the world, is also harmful in its operation. Because if certified accounts were highlighted more easily by the Twitter algorithm, Blue accounts will now be the only ones to be. Thus, followers of disinformation like those who emerged with the Covid-19 crisis will have even more visibility on the platform for the sole reason that they offload a few euros each month. It should be remembered in this respect that Elon Musk harbors a particular distrust of journalists and “mainstream” media.
Still, things are not frozen, as often with Elon Musk. Apart from the possibility of an (alarming) joke, Twitter could also review its copy soon with this program, according to the mood swings of its guru. There is also the question of public figures who have tens of thousands or millions of subscribers: will they also have to pay? Do they not risk abandoning this platform in their communication? Or will they keep their blue badge according to a process just as opaque as the old one? Answers when Elon Musk wants.