Twitter Removes Blue Check Mark From Non-Subscribers

On Thursday, Twitter users noticed some blue verification check marks were disappearing. That is because Elon Musk, the company’s owner, made some changes to the verification requirements. Now, in order to receive the checkmark, users have to pay the $8 monthly subscription fee.

Earlier, Musk announced on Twitter that this change was a way of “treating everyone equally.” He also alleged that the subscription service could help weed out bots on the site, an issue users have been complaining about.

“The blue checks even disappeared from the accounts of some of the most well-known and widely followed people on the social network, including Kim Kardashian, Beyonce, Bill Gates, Pope Francis, former president Donald Trump and Twitter founder Jack Dorsey,” CNN reported.

The change reportedly experienced some glitches with blue check marks disappearing then reappearing as well as creating a greater risk for impersonation. The original idea behind the blue check mark was to verify the account is who they said they are, specifically for high-profile, celebrity or official accounts.

Well-known users, such as anti-bullying activist Monica Lewinsky, expressed their disapproval of the verification change, implying she would be leaving the platform, per CNN.