Twitter Relaunches Blue Tick Verification

Twitter has announced plans on restarting its blue tick verification from Friday, January 22, 2020.

In November 2020, Twitter disclosed that it was relaunching its public verification programme in 2021 after three years break.

We're planning to relaunch verification in 2021, but first we want to hear from you.

Help us shape our approach to verification on Twitter by letting us know what you think. Take a look at our draft policy and submit your #VerificationFeedback here: https://t.co/0vmrpVtXGJ

— Support (@Support) November 24, 2020

However, after calling for public opinion for its relaunch process, Twitter said it would relaunch its self-serve application portal.

This will allow members of the public to apply for verification.

ALSO READ: Twitter Calls For Help In Its New Approach To Verification

For interested persons, Twitter said the accounts have to be notable and qualified.

Twitter’s new policy for account verification

Twitter defined its new policy as a foundation for improvement.

“This policy will lay the foundation for future improvements by defining what verification means, who is eligible for verification and why some accounts might lose verification to ensure the process is more equitable,” Twitter said.

However, it also added that although the verification process might not be solved with the new policy alone.

“We know we can’t solve verification with a new policy alone — and that this initial policy won’t cover every case for being verified — but it is a critical first step in helping us provide more transparency and fairer standards for verification on Twitter as we reprioritize this work.”

Earlier, Twitter listed some accounts it identifies in granting them the verified badge.

It said that “the blue verified badge on Twitter lets people know that an account of public interest is authentic.” 

Twitter further added that “to receive the blue badge, your account must be notable and active.” 

Below are some of the identified accounts to be verified:

• Government
• Companies, brands and non-profit organisations
• News organisations and journalists
• Entertainment
• Sports and esports
• Activists, organisers, and other influential individuals

From feedback gotten from the public, Twitter added some new categories which include academics, scientists and religious leaders.

However, those under the categories will be added later in the year.

The new categories include activists, organisers, and other influential individuals’ accounts.

Policy to remove verified accounts

On its move to give new account badges, the bird apps said it would start its plan by removing badges from accounts.

It identified those qualified to be removed from its verified accounts in its new policy.

Further, Twitter said that accounts that are inactive for a period of time or account whose profile is incomplete would be removed as a verified account.

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Also, accounts that experience a change of name; and accounts who aren’t in the same position as they were, which led them to be verified – an example is a government official who leaves office.

Twitter also included that parody accounts with no form of identity and accounts found to have severally violated its rules will be removed.

Twitter also warned the verification tick could be removed at any time and without notice.