TICKED OFF Twitters fans think Elon Musk is creating a “class system” on the app as experts warn that his takeover could spell trouble for users.
Musk sent Twitter users flapping this week with his proposal to start charging $8 (£7) a month for a subscription service that would verify paying accounts and offer them access to premium features.
1
Give power to the people
Musk posted on Tuesday, to tell his 113.3m followers that he purchased the platform for $44billion. ‘Twitter’s current lords & peasants system for who has or doesn’t have a blue checkmark is bull****.
“Power the people! Blue for $8/month,”He tweeted.
Yet many on Twitter disagree with the platform’s self-proclaimed “Chief Twit.”
“It’s a class system”One user wrote the following:
Another argument was, “When you say ‘power to the people’ you mean ‘power to the paying people’”.
Premium Perks
Musk hasn’t yet revealed the full features of this premium, but he confirmed that there are a few perks.
These include reduced advertising, priority for replies, mentions, searches, and the option of posting longer video or audio content.
Premium benefits are nothing new for the platform. Subscribers in the USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and Australia can enjoy a variety of benefits on Twitter Blue for $4.99
These include bookmark folders, an edit button, and a customisable App.
Musk has plans to make things better. The blue badge of honor that verifies users as verified users will be awarded to those who pay for the new service.
Badge of Honour
This blue tick is often associated with big brands, influencers and celebrities who use the platform.
Yet Paul Bernal, an Associate Professor of Information Technology Law at the University of East Anglia, stresses that it’s currently intended to show authenticity, not status.
Speaking only to Central Recorder, the he stated: “It is important for celebs – a kind of branding thing – and for politicians, but also for journalists, scientists generally, and of course officials.”
“If it becomes something that anyone can sign up to without reason other than money, it will lose the authenticity factor.“
Professor Bernal is concerned that these changes could prove to be dangerous.
“There’s a big danger that serious trolls will sign up for the benefits – and then the tick becomes a sign of dishonour.”
Subscriber shortfall
Musk might have difficulty getting users to sign on if he presses ahead with his proposals despite the backlash.
“Of roughly 300,000 verified accounts on Twitter, we would estimate about 25 per cent would pay the $8 per month fee”Central Recorder spoke with Dan Ives, the Managing Director of Wedbush Securities..
“The problem is with many athletes and celebrities willing to lose their coveted blue check, it would be an ominous black eye moment for Musk on his first strategic move with Twitter.”
Musk has not yet confirmed when the new scheme will be available.
The best phone and gadget hacks
You are looking for hacks to your phone’s security? Are you looking for the hidden features in social media apps? We can help you…
We will pay you for your stories! Do you have a story for Central Recorder Online Tech & Science team?