Twitter Opens Verification Process To Public, Blue Checkmarks Now Available For Everyone

Twitter’s blue checkmark is a symbol of authenticity that allows a user to show their followers that they really are who they claim to be. However, up until recently, this privilege was only available to high-profile users who were more prone to be victims of fake accounts popping up using their names, faces, and even projects. Twitter has recently announced that it is changing tactics and allowing anyone to apply for the sought after blue check.

When it turned 10 years old, Twitter made some sweeping changes that made it nearly unrecognizable from the social media platform that it was in the beginning, Slate reports. Allowing users to make longer Tweets, changing their algorithms, and even adding a livestream feature via Periscope, it’s clear that Twitter has come a long way.

Another change that the social network is making, and which is expected to be received with enthusiasm from its users, is opening its verification process to the general public. With the blue checkmark that appears beside their profile, other users will know that a particular account belongs to the person it represents and is not a fake account.

One of the best things to come out of this service, as USA Today reports, is the ability to filter hateful and abusive comments. However, according to the vice president of User Services for Twitter, Tina Bhatnagar, the change is also meant to allow followers to choose users based on their quality instead of who they pretend to be.

"We hope opening this application process results in more people finding great, high-quality accounts to follow, and for these creators and influencers to connect with a broader audience,” Bhatnagar said in a press release.

On the matter of addressing abusive comments, Twitter was a little shifty on its stance as it hasn’t released a statement regarding the effects of these changes when dealing with racisms, sexisms and general unpleasant behavior. One of the most significant high-profile examples of offensive posts on Twitter involves Leslie Jones who starred in the reboot of the movie “Ghostbusters” and got bombarded with racist Tweets.