It appears that the days of trusting “verified” Twitter accounts are over. Thanks to new owner Elon Musk, a new change to Twitter’s verification process now allows anybody to get a blue check mark and verified status simply by paying an $8 monthly fee. The new changes went into effect on Wednesday and it did not take long for it to cause some absolute chaos in the sports world.
Within hours of the new changes to the verification process, several fake accounts popped up on Twitter impersonating various star athletes and notable reputable media members to make fake news announcements. A fake Adam Schefter account falsely reported that Las Vegas Raiders had fired head coach Josh McDaniels, a fake Connor McDavid account falsely announced a trade to the New York Islanders, and a fake LeBron James account falsely announced a trade request from the Los Angeles Lakers.
While these fake accounts have done similar impersonating in the past, the difference this time is that the fake accounts also have a verified blue check mark.
I now count two blue check accounts impersonating pro athletes, one of which is LeBron. This is great stuff
— Bruce Arthur (@bruce_arthur) November 9, 2022
“I now count two blue check accounts impersonating pro athletes, one of which is LeBron. This is great stuff,” Toronto Star columnist Bruce Arthur pointed out.
It was a massive change for Twitter, and the sports world blasted Elon Musk and Twitter for the controversial change.
Pro-tip for Twitter verification madness… Click the check mark to verify the account.
Note the difference between this fake Adam Schefter and the real NBC Sports Chicago. Clicking the checkmark tells you why they're verified. pic.twitter.com/ydrd2zbTkG
— Michael Allardyce (@mikedyce) November 9, 2022
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— Bruce Arthur (@bruce_arthur) November 9, 2022
— Emerson Lotzia, Jr. (@EmersonLotzia) November 9, 2022
Just make the Twitter Blue verification a different symbol. Or make real verification a different symbol.
Seems like an easy/obvious enough solution.
— Michael Allardyce (@mikedyce) November 9, 2022
I give this thing less than 24 hours before they roll it back lol https://t.co/dMmlzss2Pt
— Barry Petchesky (@barry) November 9, 2022
We’ll have to see if Twitter continues this controversial change in the future.