Earlier this year Twitter had launched a new verification program and had released the rules and regulations for the same. However, Twitter is now officially putting its verification program on hold as it needs to work on the application and review process that allows people to get the verification badge (blue tick).
This change in policy where new people won’t be allowed to apply for the verification badge is based on Twitter accepting the fact that it had incorrectly verified several fake accounts which were a part of the botnet.
In case a user has applied for verification recently they need not worry as Twitter will still be reviewing existing applications which means that the halt is for new people who are willing to apply. A Twitter spokesperson told The Verge that it would “resume rolling out applications in the next few weeks.” But it is still not clear if there will be a change in the verification criteria or will it remain the same.
Twitter has a history of pausing the verification program. It had done so in 2017 as the verification badge was “interpreted as an endorsement or an indicator of importance.” Twitter says that the purpose of the verification badge is to show that an account is “authentic, notable, and active,” we can only assume that with the pause of the program Twitter will be taking a closer look at the accounts and eliminating the fake accounts that make through the applications.
