In the current age of social media, with all of its aspiring influencers, nothing says brand validation quite like that little blue verification badge. Bestowed by Twitter upon only the most worthy of applicants, that little blue checkmark is widely recognized as a symbol of legitimacy. So when the platform snatched its credentials from the accounts of white nationalists Jason Kessler and Richard Spencer, little bluebirds everywhere rejoiced!
On Wednesday, Twitter announced several updates to its verification policy.
Verification was meant to authenticate identity & voice but it is interpreted as an endorsement or an indicator of importance. We recognize that we have created this confusion and need to resolve it. We have paused all general verifications while we work and will report back soon
— Twitter Support (@TwitterSupport) November 9, 2017
Twitter Support clarified to all concerned that verification, by no means equals endorsement.
3 / This perception became worse when we opened up verification for public submissions and verified people who we in no way endorse.
— Twitter Support (@TwitterSupport) November 15, 2017
And announced that all approvals would be halted until a new verification program is rolled out.
4 / We're working on a new authentication and verification program. In the meantime, we are not accepting any public submissions for verification and have introduced new guidelines for the program. https://t.co/j6P0HGXIVq
— Twitter Support (@TwitterSupport) November 15, 2017
But in the meantime though…
5 / We are conducting an initial review of verified accounts and will remove verification from accounts whose behavior does not fall within these new guidelines. We will continue to review and take action as we work towards a new program we are proud of.
— Twitter Support (@TwitterSupport) November 15, 2017
And of course, some of our favorite tweeters humbled those confused as to why their blue checks were taken in the first place.
Be proudly white, babe, just stop being a white supremacist and a disgusting human being. Bless your heart, tho. https://t.co/whwlRY959F
— Soledad O'Brien (@soledadobrien) November 16, 2017
Uber, Lyft, and now Twitter. Maybe the problem isn't them, it's….you. Lol, you suck. https://t.co/tbuf9PGWuf
— christine teigen (@chrissyteigen) November 16, 2017
We'll be looking out for more disappearing blue checkmarks over the next few days.
