Musk says Twitter to hold off relaunching blue check verification

Twitter's new owner Elon Musk said the social media company is holding off the relaunch of its blue check subscription service, a delay from his initial tentative timeline to bring back the service on the platform.

"Holding off relaunch of Blue Verified until there is high confidence of stopping impersonation," Musk said in a tweet.

"Will probably use different colour check for organisations than individuals."

The coveted blue check mark was previously reserved for verified accounts of politicians, famous personalities, journalists and other public figures.

But a subscription option, open to anyone prepared to pay, was rolled out earlier this month to help Twitter grow revenue as Musk fights to retain advertisers. 

Twitter had paused its recently announced $8 blue check subscription service, as fake accounts mushroomed and had said Twitter's sought-after blue check subscription service will be relaunched on November 29.

Musk also tweeted that Twitter added 1.6 million users this past week, "another all-time high".

Advertisers on Twitter, including big companies such as General Motors, Mondelez International, Volkswagen AG, have paused advertising on the platform, as they grapple with the new boss. 

Hundreds of Twitter employees have also been estimated to have quit last week, following a Thursday deadline by Musk that staffers sign up for "long hours at high intensity," or leave.

More from Business

News

  • Iranian nationals in UAE exempted from overstay fines

    Under the directives of President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Iranian nationals currently in the UAE will be exempt from overstay fines caused by delays in leaving the country.

  • UAE ensures smooth airport operations amid airspace closures

    The UAE’s Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs, and Port Security has confirmed that all necessary measures are in place to ensure uninterrupted airport operations in response to recent regional developments and airspace closures in neighbouring countries.

  • UAE, Turkish Presidents discuss regional developments

    The UAE's President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdoğan have held a phone call to discuss the latest developments in the Middle East and ways to promote regional stability.