Twitter, earlier today, announced that starting early next year, it would resume its account verification process.
Along with the resumption of Twitter verification, the microblogging company would also be releasing new guidelines for users seeking out the verification badge.
In 2017, the website came under fire for verifying white supremacists and Neo-Nazis on the platform. This forced the company to put general verification on pause until it figures things out.
In response to the verification issue that led to the public outcry at that time, Twitter Support responded by saying:
“Verification was meant to authenticate identity & voice but it is interpreted as an endorsement or an indicator of importance. We recognize that we have created this confusion and need to resolve it.”
In June, app researcher Jane Manchun Wong posted that Twitter was working on a new verification system, and would be out with it soon.
Twitter, today, made a post on its blog, which confirms Jane Manchun’s position about Twitter rebooting it’s verification system.
Twitter not only confirms the reactivation of the verification process, it is also calling on users to help it improve on the verification policy by sharing feedback on the draft copy they compiled.
“We know how important it is to be able to express yourself and understand who you’re talking to on Twitter. So today, we’re sharing the start of our plans to revamp how people can identify themselves on Twitter, starting with verification and asking the public to share feedback on a draft of our new verification policy.” – Twitter.
The company asks the public to tweet their feedback at them, using the hashtag #VerificationFeedback.
According to the proposed policy, Twitter defines “the blue verified badge on Twitter” as a way to let “people know that an account of public interest is authentic.” The company has highlighted 6 criteria to be verified on its platform.
The six types of accounts Twitter identified as eligible to receive the blue badge are:
- Government
- Companies, Brands and Non- Profit Organizations
- News
- Entertainment
- Sports
- Activists, Organizers, and Other Influential Individuals
Twitter said it is also working on new ways to identify individual accounts, as well as creating a new type of account.
“The blue verified badge isn’t the only way we are planning to distinguish accounts on Twitter. Heading into 2021, we’re committed to giving people more ways to identify themselves through their profiles, such as new account types and labels.”
