Twitter will delay checkmark changes until after US midterm election

Elon Musk, the new CEO of Twitter, took over the social media platform last week after buying the company as part of a $44billion (£38.86billion) deal. He has begun to implement changes, such as the new service Twitter Blue, which has caused some backlash from public figures.The decision to block the new service until after the elections comes the day after Twitter launched an updated version of its IOS app that will now allow everyone who uses the website to get a blue verification checkmark on their social media profile.The blue checkmark has been used to confirm the authenticity of public figures, such as celebrities, government officials and journalists.The new feature said in its announcement: ‘Power to the people, your account will get a blue check mark, just like the celebrities, companies, and politicians you already follow.’However, the new paid subscription has left some concerned about how the website will tackle those impersonating public figures if verification can be easy to obtain. Elon Musk has created a new Twitter subscription service which has received some backlash (Image: Getty Images) The New CEO of Twitter bought the platform for $44 billion (Image: Getty Images)Some have expressed worry that anybody could pretend to be a politician.Rashad Robinson, the leader of the advocacy group Color of Change, said it could have unintended consequences.Mr Robinson warned the service could cause ‘unprecedented impacts on election chaos’.He added: ‘Any right-wing troll can pay $8… get a blue check mark and then change their name to CNN or Georgia’s secretary of state.’One Twitter employee on the internal Slack channel asked why the social media platform was ‘making such a risky change before elections, which has the potential of causing election interference’.A manager working on the subscription service replied: ‘We’ve made the decision to move the launch of this release to Nov. 9, after the election.’READ MORE: Piers Morgan aims dig at Amber Heard after Twitter account vanishes Twitter Blue will be delayed until after Tuesday, when the midterm elections end. (Image: Getty Images)Going forward, any Twitter handles engaging in impersonation without clearly specifying ‘parody’ will be permanently suspended- Elon Musk (@elonmusk) November 6, 2022 However, Elon Musk has argued the new service will help fight against spam and has clarified that impersonating someone on the social media platform will cause a user to be ‘permanently suspended’.On Sunday evening, he tweeted: ‘Previously, we issued a warning before suspension, but now that we are rolling out widespread verification, there will be no warning,’He added that any parody accounts would have to be specified and a name change on the website will cause a ‘temporary loss’ of a verified checkmark.It comes at a time some celebrities had change their name to Elon Musk on the social media platform to protest against the subscription service.As of Sunday, these accounts have been suspended from Twitter, including US comedian Kathy Griffin.DON’T MISS: Piers Morgan hits big milestone and plans ‘celebration’ with Elon Musk [REPORT]Elon Musk’s plan to sell blue checks could start as ‘soon as Monday’ [INSIGHT]Musk will let Trump back on Twitter [REVEAL]Your feedback is appreciated, now pay $8- Elon Musk (@elonmusk) November 2, 2022 The new subscription service has caused backlash from some public figures, with American horror writer Stephen King tweeting a few days ago: ‘$20 a month to keep my blue check? F**k that, they should pay me, if that gets instituted, I’m gone.’Elon Musk responded: ‘We need to pay the bills somehow, Twitter cannot rely entirely on advertisers, How about $8?’The new Twitter CEO has also had a less amicable back and forth with New York politician Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, who tweeted: ‘Lmao at a billionaire earnestly trying to sell people on the idea that ‘free speech is actually a $8/mo subscription fee.’In a snarky reply, Elon Musk said ‘Your feedback is appreciated, now pay $8’.