In Short
- Former Twitter India head suggests that Musk is either “lying” to people about the new verification process.
- He mocks Musk by saying that people have figured out a way to carry their phone in the afterlife.
- Currently, Twitter does not have an option to remove the Blue Tick from the profile.
By Abhik SenguptaFormer Twitter India chief Manish Maheshwari has questioned Elon Musk over the company’s latest rules for the coveted Blue Tick on Twitter. In a tweet, Maheshwari asked Musk how the Twitter profile of late Indian actor Sushant Singh Rajput got verified with a Bue Tick when the verification process involves verifying the mobile number. He suggests that Musk is either “lying” to people about the new verification process or “people have figured out a way to carry their phone in the afterlife.”
Maheshwari worked at Twitter for nearly three years as Director/ GM and later Senior Director, New Markets Entry. He has not purchased a Blue subscription. Therefore, the profile lost the Blue Tick.
Soon after his original tweet, Maheshwari, in another tweet, clarified that his intent “was to bring out the chaos and confusion surrounding the Blue Tick,” adding he has “great respect” for the late actor and loved his acting in the MS Dhoni biopic. Sushant Singh Rajput (SSR) passed away in June 2020, allegedly by suicide. His death is being probed by authorities.
Not just Maheshwari, but other Twitter users have also questioned the social media company over its new rules on verification that guarantee the Blue Tick. Other deceased personalities, including the late Indian TV actor Sidharth Shukla, have received the Blue verified checkmark on their Twitter accounts. Other such personalities include Michael Jackson, actor Chadwick Boseman, and NBA player Kobe Bryant.
Twitter strictly notes that a Blue badge is only guaranteed by a Twitter Blue subscription, which costs Rs 900 per month in India. The process also involves verifying phone numbers. But it clearly appears that Musk-owned Twitter is breaking its own rules to retain high-profile accounts on the platform.
Not all users are happy with receiving a free Blue Tick on the profile. Author Stephen King said that Musk should give Twitter Blue subscription money to a charity. “I recommend the Prytula Foundation, which provides lifesaving services in Ukraine. It’s only $8, so perhaps Mr Musk could add a bit more,” he said. Notable tech journalist Kara Swisher was also unhappy with the return of Blue Tick on her profile without her “consent.”
Indian megastar Amitabh Bachchan was among the first to pay for Twitter Blue to retain Twitter Blue Tick on his profile. However, he was also unhappy with Twitter after the company returned the Blue Tick to profiles with millions of followers. Bachchan has over 48 million followers.
Currently, Twitter does not have an option to remove the Blue Tick from the profile.
Rodolfo Frami
Harvey Wiegand
Johnnie King