Twitter says it will be stricter when giving verification badges

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Planning to get that blue check on your Twitter profile? You may have to wait a little longer as the social media site announced on Wednesday that it will tighten its rules in giving users verification badges.

In a series of tweets posted by Twitter’s official support page, it said that it has temporarily suspended its operations to verify accounts while they work on a new authentication program.

Citing that verification “has long been perceived as an endorsement” by users, the social media site also admitted fault in giving away the badges easily. The Verge reported that Twitter loosened its rules on the badges last year to make it easier for people to find influencers.

Twitter stressed that the original goal of account verification was “to authenticate identity and voice.”

Verification was meant to authenticate identity & voice but it is interpreted as an endorsement or an indicator of importance. We recognize that we have created this confusion and need to resolve it. We have paused all general verifications while we work and will report back soon

— Twitter Support (@TwitterSupport) November 9, 2017

2 / Verification has long been perceived as an endorsement. We gave verified accounts visual prominence on the service which deepened this perception. We should have addressed this earlier but did not prioritize the work as we should have.

— Twitter Support (@TwitterSupport) November 15, 2017

“Verification has long been perceived as an endorsement. We gave verified accounts visual prominence on the service which deepened this perception,” Twitter further clarified.

Twitter will also conduct reviews and strip badges from accounts that will break Twitter’s rules, once these are amended.

4 / We’re working on a new authentication and verification program. In the meantime, we are not accepting any public submissions for verification and have introduced new guidelines for the program. https://t.co/j6P0HGXIVq

— Twitter Support (@TwitterSupport) November 15, 2017

5 / We are conducting an initial review of verified accounts and will remove verification from accounts whose behavior does not fall within these new guidelines. We will continue to review and take action as we work towards a new program we are proud of.

— Twitter Support (@TwitterSupport) November 15, 2017

The move comes after Twitter verified white supremacist leader Jason Kessler’s account, drawing widespread flak from users, The Verge reported. Kessler organized the “Unite the Right” rally in Charlottesville, Virginia in the United States, back in August. Katrina Hallare/JB

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