The dynamic of Twitter’s verification process has witnessed a noteworthy transformation, sparking discussions that reflect a multitude of perspectives. An in-depth examination, however, might illuminate the rationale behind this paradigm shift and convince you of its prudence.

In the grand scheme of social media, Twitter, akin to its contemporaries, grapples with the incessant threat posed by bot accounts. Individuals with technical acumen are exploiting scripts to fabricate an array of accounts, ranging from tens of thousands to, in extreme scenarios, even exceeding that.

Ponder this: command over an insidious legion of one million counterfeit Twitter accounts. The potential for disseminating a concoction of disinformation is unbounded, bolstered by the amplification offered by a million additional voices. It’s an Orwellian nightmare, making the reality of combating this issue far more complicated than one might initially perceive.

When Elon Musk stepped into the driver’s seat at Twitter, he discovered that the notion of a “robot-proof” solution was nothing more than a fanciful aspiration. Given enough time, artificial intelligence has the potential to surmount any hurdle laid before it.

So, the imperative question was: what feasible and cost-effective solution can be devised to combat this menace? After all, social media thrives on its free-access principle. Musk, rising to the occasion, proposed an ingenious solution. Two authentication steps were introduced: the first necessitates a legitimate phone number – excluding VOIP services, and the second demands the ownership of a credit card. This, paired with an $8 monthly premium service charge, would serve as an effective deterrent for malicious actors.

Critics would argue that a determined scammer could procure multiple phones and pre-paid credit cards. However, this method proves expensive and consequently less appealing for those attempting to manufacture an army of fake accounts. Yes, the creation of bot accounts might continue, but the verification symbol – the coveted blue checkmark – would be prioritized for those who’ve earned it through legitimate means.

Admittedly, this revamped system isn’t without its faults. Nevertheless, it has served to alleviate the bot issue significantly, improving the platform’s overall function and user experience.

This shift in policy has left some legacy users, previously verified due to their prominence, bereft of their blue checkmarks unless they, too, opted for the paid account.

The ensuing PR nightmare for Twitter saw some comply and others rebel, but in an attempt to quell the storm, Twitter has started reinstating legacy marks. They’ve also adapted the explanation that appears when you hover over the checkmark – a nod towards clarity in a complex ecosystem.

Notice how it says the account has been verified since (insert date here)?  You can see the change on both Rachel Starr’s Twitter (@rachelstarrxxx) as well as Bree Olson’s (@breeolson).

Be sure and follow us on Twitter @Fleshbot and let us know what you think of these changes to Twitter!