Twitter has announced the launch of its revamped verification policy on January 20, 2021. On that date, it will also start the automatic removal of the verified badges from incomplete and inactive accounts. The new policy sets the definition of a ‘complete account,’ which should have a verified email or phone number, a profile image, and a display name.
For accounts that are at risk of losing the verified badge, automated emails and in-app notifications about the policy changes will be conveyed. Account owners could also possibly prevent automatic removal of the blue verified badge if the required changes are done prior to the January 20, 2021 schedule. Moreover, inactive verified accounts of deceased individuals will be memorialized within 2021 instead of being stripped of the blue badge.
The microblogging website first announced the 2021 re-launch of its account verification system in November 2020. At the same time, it asked for feedback from users on how to improve its policies. In a statement, Twitter revealed that it has received over 22,000 responses from that call.
One of the most suggested policy improvements is about categories. Thus, Twitter said it will explore adding dedicated categories for academics, scientists, and religious leaders, among others.
Verification application
Application for verification will be a self-serve process to be made available via the Account Settings page on the web and in-app. Applicants will be asked to choose a category for their verification status and confirm their identity through links and other supporting materials.
Human and automated review processes will be both utilizes to make sure applications are assessed thoughtfully and in a timely manner. Users will also be provided with the option to share demographic information after completing the new verification application to “better measure and improve the equity” of the verification process.
Why secure a verification badge?
“Verification is just one part of our work to help people understand who they’re interacting with on Twitter,” the website said in a statement. “We know that it’s not always easy to evaluate the authenticity of accounts on the internet, and that understanding who you’re interacting with is core to the public conversation.”
Twitter also suggested that it would also help to check the bios, content, mutual follows, and profile information of people users are interacting with on the platform. This is also the reason Twitter is rolling out profile labels for political candidates, government accounts, and state-affiliated media.
“Our work here is far from finished, but we want to give you a look ahead at what we’re doing in this space so you can understand our approach,” Twitter stated. “We are excited to re-launch verification and start rolling out these new account types, and we’ll share more soon.”
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