Twitter started to remove verification badges from some users last Friday as it amended its rules on who qualifies as a verified user. It is making these changes at the same time as preparing to reopen its public verification program in a way that's more inclusive. As a result, this is a pre-spring cleaning of sorts, with some users who already had a blue badge on their account losing it.

Twitter first introduced verified accounts back in 2009 after celebrities, such as Kanye West and Chicago White Sox manager Tony La Russa, had criticized (and, in the latter case, sued) the platform over accounts impersonating them. The blue checkmark on a profile was a way for the social media service to authenticate that the user was in fact who they claimed to be. Originally intended for celebrities and other public figures, Twitter announced a public application process for other accounts of public interest, such as members of the media, to be verified. In 2017, Twitter stopped the verification program. Accounts that already had the checkmark kept it, but new accounts would not be getting verified any longer. However, this past November, Twitter announced it was bringing the program back for 2021.

Related: When Twitter Verification Returns & How The New Verified System Works

Although this new verification process expands some of the eligibility categories, Twitter has also decided to remove some the checkmarks from some older accounts in the process. It previously announced it would begin to remove badges from inactive and incomplete accounts (e.g. lacking a profile image, email or phone number), and that's now what is happening. The company confirmed that it was reaching out to affected individuals directly and it would start the process of removing the remainder of these accounts as of January 22. Under its terms of service, Twitter can remove account verification for any reason it sees fit. For instance, it can happen if the account's handle is changed, it's being used for impersonation, or if Tweets have violated Twitter's rules, such as hate speech or spam.

So Who Can Get A Verified Twitter Account?

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While it hasn't officially stated when the revamped verification process will begin, Twitter acknowledges "notable" people and organizations will be able to apply this year. According to the site, verified accounts will fall into six different categories: government (key officials, offices, public utilities, political candidates etc.); prominent companies, brands or organizations; news organizations and journalists; entertainment (studios, networks, music entities, festivals, films, TV shows etc.); sports and gaming (athletes, e-sports players, coaches, teams, leagues, global competitions, sports data services etc.); and activists, organizers, and other influential individuals that don't fall into the other categories.

Other accounts may also be still eligible. An account needs to be consistently used for six months prior to application, the account has to generally follow Twitter's rules, and not be used for harassment or shaming people or groups. However, there's additional criteria to justify the account's notability if it doesn't fall into one of the above six categories. For example, a follower count in the top .1-percent of active accounts in the same geographic region; in the top .05-percent of active accounts in the same geographic region in terms of volume of conversation, mentions, follower growth, or other internal signals; or widely credited for creating a popular hashtag movement.

In addition, the account must fit one of these criteria for off-Twitter notability: a related Google Trends profile with recent search activity; a stable Wikipedia article; three or more featured references within the six months prior to applying in verified news outlets; or reference to the account or account owner holding a leadership role on an official site linked to advocacy work. While this still leaves out most Twitter users, the new verification system is not designed to be like Tinder where anyone who can take a selfie can get a verified account. Of course, Twitter is sure to see a wave of new verified Tweeters regardless of these restrictions.

Next: Birdwatch: Twitter's Community-Based Misinformation Initiative Explained

Source: Twitter