Twitter axes checkmarks for unpaid legacy accounts

Social media platform Twitter on Thursday removed verified checkmarks from accounts that had not subscribed to its Twitter Blue service.

So-called "legacy verified" accounts received their checkmarks through Twitter's old process, which did not appear to be standardized and was largely limited to high-profile figures and journalists. The platform had roughly 300,000 verified users under the original system, according to The Hill.

When Elon Musk purchased the company, he overhauled the verification process, allowing users to purchase verification in the form of a subscription service as part of his bid to overhaul the platform's finances. The service also reduces ad frequency and grants access to additional features.

The purge of legacy account verifications appears to have reached the highest levels, with even the account of former President Donald Trump (@realDonaldTrump) no longer sporting the badge.

Prior to the elimination of legacy checkmarks, hovering over the badge would display a messaging indicating that the account had received verification either by subscribing to Twitter Blue or by virtue of its legacy status. Verified accounts now display a message indicating the user has subscribed to the service.

Those who lost their checkmarks pay purchase a new one for $8 per month if they are a web user, or $11 per month should they use an iPhone or Android.

Ben Whedon is an editor and reporter for Just the News. Follow him on Twitter.