New Delhi: Responding to “complainers” after he confirmed that Twitter will charge $8 per month if anybody wants the blue tick, Elon Musk tweeted, “Please continue complaining, but it will cost $8.” Reacting to his tweet, a user wrote, “How will this work, Mr Musk? Once verified you need to pay 8 dollars or anyone can pay 8 dollars and get verified?”
Elon Musk has a message for users mourning his announcement of an $8 monthly fee for a verified badge.
“To all the complainers please keep complaining but it will cost $8,” Mr Musk tweeted as several influencers and celebrities flagged security concerns, saying anyone could now open an account in someone’s name, pay a fee and have verify it.tw
To all complainers, please continue complaining, but it will cost $8
---Advertisement---— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) November 2, 2022
The introduction of the blue tick fee is the first major change to the microblogging site since Tesla’s CEO took over after months of dramatic developments that have reached the courtroom.
Musk, who now describes himself as a “Twitter complaint hotline operator,” previously said the account verification process is being overhauled.
Yesterday, he announced that he would charge an $8 monthly fee for Twitter Blue, calling the move “power to the people.”
“The current system of lords and peasants on Twitter, who has or doesn’t have a blue tick, is nonsense,” he said.
Mr. Musk added that the new plan provides verified users with several additional features.
“You also get: Priority in replies, mentions and searches, which is essential to defeat spam/fraud. The ability to post long video and audio. Half as many ads. And paywall bypass for publishers who are willing to work with us,” he tweeted . .
According to him, the fee will be adjusted according to “the country’s purchasing power parity”. Mr Musk did not specify the method used to make the “purchasing power” decision.
It was previously speculated that the verification fee could be as high as $20 per month.
This drew a strong response from many, including bestselling author Stephen King.
“$20 a month to keep my blue check? That’s what the hell they should pay me. If they implement this I’m out like Enron,” Mr King tweeted.
He got a response from none other than Mr. Musk. “We have to pay the bills somehow! Twitter can’t rely entirely on advertisers. How about $8?” replied the new head of Twitter.
