New Delhi: On Friday, chaos erupted on Twitter as Elon Musk removed all verified accounts with Blue check marks, but selectively allowed some celebrities to retain their verification.
Meanwhile, in India, obtaining Blue Verified status requires a monthly payment of Rs 900 (or Rs 9,400 per year).
Over 400,000 legacy verified users said farewell to their Blue check marks, while certain celebrities were granted a complimentary Twitter Blue subscription “on behalf of Musk.”
“I am personally covering the cost for a few,” Musk stated, mentioning William Shatner, LeBron James, and Stephen King among the celebrities for whom he is paying.
Stephen King tweeted, “My Twitter account shows that I’ve subscribed to Twitter Blue, but I haven’t, and it also claims I’ve provided a phone number, which I haven’t.” In response, Musk replied, “You’re welcome, namaste.”
The Pope, Beyoncé, Kim Kardashian, and Oprah Winfrey were downgraded and lost their Blue ticks.
However, Rihanna and Taylor Swift still retained their verification, but it was unclear whether they had purchased it or if Musk allowed them to keep it.
Actress Halle Berry tweeted that she would be joining everyone else as an unverified user the next day, indicating that she would not be paying Musk for the Blue badge.
Several NBA players, including Stephen Curry, Zion Williamson, and Ja Morant, also lost their Blue checks.
