Report: Twitter considers charging users $20 per month for verified accounts

Not long after taking the reigns of Twitter, it’s new owner Elon Musk has already been in discussions with its engineers about adding on an additional charge for verified accounts.

According to a new report from The Verge, Musk wants to launch a chargeable verification system in which verified users will have to stump up $20 per month to keep their blue checkmark.

The Verge reported that engineers allegedly have until November 7 to launch the scheme or face losing their job. They were reportedly only briefed about the project on October 30. 

The Verge added that the price is subject to change and that it will include some additional features, which have not yet been specified.

Not long before The Verge’s report, Musk tweeted: “The whole verification process is being revamped right now.”

Twitter’s proposed changes could also open the door for those who aren’t verified to purchase the coveted blue tick badge. Currently, Twitter only provides verified status to notable accounts from a “prominently recognized individual or brand.”

It was also reported that once Twitter’s new policy kicks in, users will have 90 days to either subscribe or lose their blue tick. There are nearly 400,000 verified users on Twitter.

Several verified users have already said that they likely won’t pay the fee for the check mark.

Hank Green tweeted: “Hilarious thing is, I’m a current twitter Blue subscriber, but I’ll need to unsubscribe if they make verification conditional to having a Twitter Blue subscription because paying for a check mark is 100% cringe. @TwitterBlue”

“Twitter is a social network desperately reliant on keeping its content creators – who unlike every other social network have no monetization options – here. This is as predictable as it is hilariously stupid,” said James Ball. He added, “Goodbye blue tick, you never made me a penny x”