Twitter’s latest policy change, which removes blue check marks from verified accounts unless users pay for the premium Twitter Blue subscription, has created quite a buzz among top Indian celebrities and politicians. The move, which was implemented on Thursday, has affected several high-profile personalities, including Bollywood icons Shah Rukh Khan, Amitabh Bachchan, and Alia Bhatt, as well as cricketers Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma. Politicians such as Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi also lost their verified status.
The Twitter Blue subscription costs USD 8 per month if subscribed via the web, and USD 11 per month for in-app payment on iOS and Android. While Twitter has stated that the move is part of its efforts to enhance the user experience and maintain the integrity of the verification process, the decision has received mixed reactions from the affected celebrities and politicians. Some have criticized the move, arguing that the blue check mark is an important symbol of credibility, while others have expressed support for the platform’s attempt to combat misinformation and fake accounts.
