London, Nov 6: Twitter has launched a subscription service allowing users to buy blue-tick verification for a monthly fee of $7.99 (£7) in a significant change under its new owner, Elon Musk.
The system was designed to help users identify authentic and influential users on the platform, including government figures, sports stars, entertainment figures, journalists, brands and organisations.
But in an update to Apple iOS devices on Saturday, the social media company said any users who “sign up now” to its premium “Twitter Blue” service will get a blue tick.
Available in the UK, as well as the US, Canada, Australia and New Zealand, the update said the service will provide: “Power to the people: your account will get a blue checkmark, just like the celebrities, companies, and politicians you already follow.”
Other features promised to be “coming soon” include half the number of adverts, the ability to post longer videos and priority ranking for content posted on the platform.
Musk appears to be aiming to diversify Twitter’s revenue streams and seeking to drastically reduce costs at the company after completing his $44bn takeover of the platform last week.
The firm began widespread staff cuts around the world on Friday, with suggestions that as many as half of its more than 7,500 staff could be axed.
