:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/shutterstock_216247747twtr-5bfc324346e0fb00517d2976.jpg "Twitter Removes Verification Badges of President Buhari, Trump, Others")
The social media platform, Twitter Inc. on Thursday began the mass removal of verification badges from users' accounts such as the President of Nigeria, Muhammadu Buhari; a former president of the United States of America, Donald Trump; football icon, Cristiano Ronaldo; amongst other prominent figures. Verification badges or ‘blue ticks’ were free and attached to verified accounts of prominent people such as celebrities, politicians, and others.
Since the $44 billion acquisition of Twitter by Elon Musk, the business tycoon announced that users are expected to pay a verification subscription fee of $8 per month to continue using the service.
In a Twitter post from his official page, Musk said, “We will begin winding down our legacy verified program and removing legacy verified checkmarks on the 1st of April. To keep your blue checkmark, individuals can sign up for Twitter Blue.”
The owner of Twitter later announced that the final date for the removal of legacy blue checks is April 20, 2023.
Other Twitter accounts affected by this development include Nigerian singers; Burna Boy, Davido, Wizkid; amongst others.
