'Goodbye legacy verified': Sad Twitter users bid adieu to blue checkmark

Twitter users are performing the last rites of theirlegacy Twitter verified badge by biddingfarewell in an emotional way, which the microblogging website announced wouldstart removing from April 1.

Since Elon Musk announced to charge$8 per month for the blue checkmark (iOS and Android signups will cost $11 per month, due to app store costs), users have severely criticised the decision.

Prior to Elon’s takeover of the microblogging platform, checkmarks were used to verify accounts of individuals and groups as active authentic and “notable” accounts of interest.

Netizens are now mourning the loss of theirverified accounts by posting sad memes on social media platform.

Musk defends paid blue tick

Meanwhile, Elon Musk defended his controversial pay model for Twitter, claiming that any social media platform that didn't follow suit would fail because it would be swarmed by bots.

Musk made his prediction on the eve of Twitter's April 1 ultimatum that verified accounts with the cherished blue tick that had not forked over cash would lose it.

"The fundamental challenge here is that it's (easy) to create literally 10,000 or 100,000 fake Twitter accounts using just one computer at home and with modern AI (artificial intelligence)," Musk told a question and answer session on Twitter.

"That's the reason for really pressing hard on verified where the verified requires a number from a reputable phone carrier and a credit card," Musk said.

"My prediction is that any so-called social media network that doesn't do this will fail," Musk added.

The change in the system puts pressure on companies, journalists and celebrities who used Twitter as their main channel of communication and relied on the blue tick for credibility.

And it also raises the spectre of imposters and jokesters paying for an officially verified, but totally fake account.

— Additional information from AFP.