Twitter has removed “legacy” verification check marks for users.
The move comes in a series of efforts from Twitter owner Elon Musk, who secured his purchase of the platform in October 2022, to move away from Twitter’s previous process of verification.
The outlet announced they would remove verification for legacy verified accounts on Apr. 20.
“To remain verified on Twitter, individuals can sign up for Twitter Blue,” wrote the platform.
Tomorrow, 4/20, we are removing legacy verified checkmarks. To remain verified on Twitter, individuals can sign up for Twitter Blue here: https://t.co/gzpCcwOXAX
Organizations can sign up for Verified Organizations here: https://t.co/YtPVNYypHU
— Twitter Verified (@verified) April 19, 2023
Users who lost their legacy verification status include Twitter co-founder and former CEO Jack Dorsey and former head of legal policy Vijaya Gadde.
BREAKING: Former Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey (@Jack) is no longer Verified pic.twitter.com/dDQRgVGkCN
— ALX 🇺🇸 (@alx) April 20, 2023
Co-founder and former Microsoft CEO Bill Gates also lost his account’s legacy verification status.
BREAKING: Microsoft Founder Bill Gates (@BillGates) is no longer Verified on Twitter pic.twitter.com/skfG16NjmA
— ALX 🇺🇸 (@alx) April 20, 2023
Former Secretary of State and 2016 Democratic Presidential candidate Hillary Clinton also lost her account’s verification status.
Former President Donald Trump, who had his Twitter account reinstated by Musk late last year, also had his verification status removed along with celebrities Beyoncé, Lady Gaga, and Nicki Minaj.
“The playing field has been leveled,” said executive producer of The Benny Show Alex Lorusso.
As of today, accounts subscribing to Twitter Blue now read: “This account is verified because they are subscribed to Twitter Blue and verified their phone number.”
Following Musk’s acquisition of Twitter and implementation of the new verification process, verified accounts began noting an individual or company’s account was verified “because it’s subscribed to Twitter Blue.”
Accounts verified prior to Musk’s acquisition began noting the account was a “legacy” user and “may or may not be notable.”
Earlier this month, Twitter stopped noting which accounts were verified because they were Twitter Blue subscribers and which users’ accounts were “legacy” verified as account labels read, “this account is verified because it’s subscribed to Twitter Blue or is a legacy verified account.”
Users who are verified through Twitter Blue will briefly lose their verification status when making changes to profile pictures, display name, or username.
Users found to be in violation of Twitter’s terms of service may also have their checkmark and verification status removed from their account.
