Wizkid, Davido, others lose badges

On Thursday, Nigerian celebrities and their international counterparts lost their verification badges for not complying with the Twitter CEO. Elon Muskthe new rule of

The microblogging app’s new verification rule requires users to acquire or redeem badges by paying between $8 (N3,684.24) and $11 (N5,065.83) per month.

After less enthusiasm to subscribe to premium services, the result was that the verification badges were removed from the accounts, especially celebrities, who were given special status privileges.

Checks by PREMIUM TIMES on the Twitter pages of Nigerian Afrobeat stars, Davido, Wizkid, Burnaboy and Tiwa Savage, among others, confirm that they have removed their blue tick badges.

Also, the app reform affected most Nollywood stars including Kate Henshaw, Toni Tones, Peter Okoye, Tobi Bakare and others.

Several benefits revolve around having a Twitter verified blue badge. For one thing, it lets people know that a matter of public interest is real.

Second, in addition to showing how famous a person is, accounts with a verified blue checkmark cannot engage in deceptive or misleading practices. That’s why many people would want one.

Elon Musk’s Decision

In October 2022, Elon Musk announced plans to start charging users monthly to stay verified.

Mr Musk, who recently took over as CEO of the microblogging site, wrote in a tweet: “The entire vetting process is being revamped right now.”

The multibillion-dollar business said the removal would allow more users to subscribe to Twitter Blue, paying a mandatory $8 monthly fee to acquire and maintain the blue verification badge.

READ ALSO: Elon Musk was appointed to Twitter’s board after acquiring a 9.2% stake

He argued that there are too many corrupt Legacy Blue “verification” marks and that he has another option to remove Legacy Blue in the coming months.

Since the Tesla owner finalized the acquisition deal, it has continued to implement major changes to the platform.

Previous dates for the removal of blue ticks, which passed without significant action, saw Thursday the accounts of high-profile users, including world leaders, politicians, celebrities and journalists, stripped of their special recognition.

Celebrity reactions

Twitter’s removal of Verification badges has drawn mixed reactions from some celebrities and influencers.

Nigerian screenwriter Dami Elebe questioned how the employer would charge $20 (N9,210.60) a month for the verification news at first.

He wrote: “$20 a month for a tick? I’m verified in heaven, and it’s free.”

Another celebrity who reacted to the development was Kate Henshaw. He said he does not see the benefit of paying $100 (N46,053.00) a year to stay verified.

The actor wrote: “That’s how blackberry/BBM was the only thing. Then no more. You forget the world evolves and changes.

“Nothing is forever, nothing.

Others are also working on their own SM apps right now as we speak. What features? I can’t see the added benefit of paying $100 a year.”

Also, via his Twitter handle, Peter Okoye (square) stated that Musk was only being business-minded about removing the badge.

He wrote: “Elon Musk is a businessman, period.”

Twitter’s removal of verification badges continues to cause mixed reactions among affected users. While some are indifferent or dumb, others mourn their victory.