Meta will charge users for its subscription service

Claire Peterson on May 22, 2023

Meta – Another upcoming huge tweak Mark Zuckerberg made to Facebook and Instagram on Sunday has already angered users.

The CEO of Meta reportedly stated that the business is exploring a paid membership service that validates Facebook and Instagram users.

The unexpected Meta news surfaced just after Twitter said that it will start charging users for SMS two-factor authentication.

The news

In his introduction, Zuckerberg said that the subscription service will be dubbed “Meta Verified.”

Everyone who wants to utilize this service must pay $11.99 each month.

Those who use iOS, however, will have to pay $14.99 a month.

Australia and New Zealand will have access to Meta Verified this week before other regions.

Meta Verified

Meta’s subscription service is more than just a status symbol.

Also, it has benefits including enhanced protection against fake accounts.

Furthermore, Meta Verified provides clients with easy access to customer service.

A blue badge that enables account verification is given to users who utilize the subscription service.

Anybody who wants to utilize the subscription must have a government ID that exactly matches the name and photo on their profile.

They must also be at least 18 years old to subscribe to Meta Verified.

Statements

Mark Zuckerberg posted the following in a post on the Instagram broadcast channel Meta Verified:

“This new feature is about increasing authenticity and security across our services.”

The startling revelation shocked everyone, but Meta clarified to let everyone breathe.

The social media behemoth said that the verified accounts, which were previously exclusively accessible to real, well-known people, will not be impacted by the new subscription service.

“We are evolving the meaning of the blue badge to focus on authenticity so we can expand verification access to more people,” said a Meta spokesperson.

“We will display follower count in more places so people can distinguish which accounts are notable public figures among accounts that share the same name.”

A league of their own

Due to the company’s use of subscription services, Meta Verified falls under the same banner of platforms like:

Discord
Reddit
Twitter
YouTube

Twitter has generated the hottest discussions out of all the websites with a committed subscription service.

Twitter Blue

In December, Twitter Blue, a premium service for verification, was re-released by Elon Musk and Twitter.

The firm had been utilizing the service up until a flood of fake “verified” accounts forced them to withdraw.

Twitter has also added new colors for a number of checkbox choices to make it simpler to distinguish between distinct accounts, including:

Gold checks for companies
Gray checks for government organizations and affiliates
Blue checks for individuals, celebrities or non-celebrities

Android and iOS users may use Twitter by subscribing to Twitter Blue for $11 per month.

Elon Musk wanted to increase the number of customers when he paid $44 billion to buy the business in late 2022.

Two-factor authentication

There was uproar when Twitter said last week that it was reviewing how it handled two-factor authentication.

SMS texts are a two-factor authentication mechanism that is exclusively accessible to Twitter Blue subscribers, according to the press release.

A 2021 survey by Twitter Account Security found that just 2.6% of Twitter users had 2FA activated.

Around 74.4% of customers have so far chosen SMS authentication.

Beginning on March 20, non-Twitter Blue users will have two more, cost-free login options:

A security key
A mobile authentication app

On February 15, the news was made on Twitter in a blog post that read:

“Instead of only entering a password to log in, 2FA requires you to also enter a code or use a security key. This additional step helps make sure that you, and only you, can access your account.”

“While historically a popular form of 2FA, unfortunately we have seen phone-number based 2FA be used – and abused – by bad actors.”

“So starting today, we will no longer allow accounts to enroll in the text message/SMS method of 2FA unless they are Twitter Blue subscribers.”

“Non-Twitter Blue subscribers that are already enrolled will have 30 days to disable this method and enroll in another.”

“We encourage non-Twitter Blue subscribers to consider using an authentication app or security key method instead.”

“These methods require you to have a physical possession of the authentication method and are a great way to ensure your account is secure.”

…

Twitter Blue is $3 more for iPhone users

Jason Robinson on December 19, 2022

…

With an emphasis on the Twitter Blue subscription service, Elon Musk and Twitter have been collaborating to improve the organization’s revenue model.

On Monday, the social media company revealed a new iteration of Twitter Blue.

Last month, Elon Musk halted and postponed the launch, which prompted the upgrade.

Apple service

For web users, Twitter Blue is $8 per month; however, Apple customers are in for a shock since the subscription costs them $11.

There is an additional $3 fee for iOS users who purchase the subscription through the Apple App Store.

The price rise is a result of Elon Musk, the new owner, lately expressing his displeasure with the tech giant’s 30% decline in digital revenue generated by applications.

The cut

Musk began criticizing Apple in November over its decreased Twitter advertising expenditures and its 30% decline in digital sales due to applications.

Tesla’s CEO added that Apple has threatened to remove Twitter from the App Store.

Musk said that he was “going to war” in a later deleted tweet.

Additionally, he suggested he would design his own brand of cellphones from the ground up.

Apple’s reactions

Apple CEO Tim Cook remained silent on Musk’s activities despite numerous provocations.

From a commercial standpoint, Twitter is just another app, and the major tech company doesn’t make much money from its in-app transactions.

Government intervention

Republicans JD Vance, the next senator from Ohio, and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis advised Musk on how to pressure Apple.

DeSantis stated that Congress should investigate Apple’s use of monopoly power if it carried out its threat to fire Twitter.

“You also hear reports Apple is threatening to remove Twitter from the App Store because Elon Musk is actually opening it up for free speech,” said DeSantis.

“And [Musk] is restoring a lot of accounts that were unfairly and illegitimately suspended for putting out accurate information about Covid.”

“If Apple responds to that by nuking them from the app store, I think that would be a huge, huge mistake, and it would be a really raw exercise of monopolistic power.”

On the other hand, JD Vance expressed similar views and said:

“This would be the most raw exercise of monopoly power in a century, and no civilized country should allow it.”

Previous pullouts

The digital behemoths will likely delist Twitter’s app from the App Store if Apple stops collecting platform fees.

Fortnite launched a feature to the iPhone app in 2020 that allowed players to purchase in-game cash from Epic Games directly, lessening Apple’s typical 30% cut of purchases.

Apple took Fortnite off the App Store the same day.

Later, Apple prevailed in a court battle with the other party.

An appeal, however, is still ongoing.

Musk wants to generate more revenue through Twitter subscriptions rather than through adverts.

Twitter is cutting costs while carrying a sizable debt, which reduces Apple’s advertising, a significant challenge.

The subscription

Twitter announced on Saturday that users with verified phone numbers would see a blue checkmark when an account is reviewed and approved.

Subscribers to the Blue service will have access to exclusive features and services, such as tweet editing.

Twitter also promised users the following:

Fewer ads on their timeline
The option to post longer videos
Priority in replies and mentions

The relaunch includes a feature that enables companies to get a gold checkmark.

To avoid impersonations, governments will also have a gray checkmark.

Users can modify their username, display name, and profile photo, according to Twitter.

But if they did, their blue check would be forfeited until their account was again examined.

Elon Musk also disclosed that there would be other functionalities.

Early launch

An early version of Twitter Blue went live in November.

After some users started mimicking companies, the government, and prominent people, Musk promptly shut down the service.

One account tweeted that insulin was free while posing as the pharmaceutical company Eli Lily.

As a result of the false assertion, the company’s stock price fell sharply.

The same issue also plagued the website of the pharmaceutical business AbbVie.

It was once more delayed despite Musk’s assurances that the service would resume on November 29.

Musk

The CEO of Tesla and SpaceX paid $44 billion in October to purchase the social media site.

He has concentrated on Twitter Blue since taking over to replace advertising revenue.

The “huge lever” and the power of the people would be provided by the new verification mechanism, according to Musk.

Before his acquisition, Musk was a vociferous opponent of Twitter’s prior verification process since it favored users like:

Politicians
Executives
Members of the press
Organizations

Other social networking sites operated by Meta, like Facebook and Instagram, utilize similar verification mechanisms.

Users who were verified under Twitter’s previous strategy are now regarded as legacy verified accounts that “may not be notable” due to the debut of the new service.

Elon Musk announced Monday that all legacy blue checks would soon be destroyed.

“The way in which they were given out was corrupt and nonsensical,” said Musk.

References:

Twitter Blue relaunches, now costs $11 per month if you subscribe from an iPhone

Elon Musk may be luring Apple into a fight with Republicans

Elon Musk to find new source of revenue for Twitter

Leah Cooper on November 21, 2022

Elon Musk has made significant changes to the popular social media platform Twitter since buying the company last week.

After removing top executives from the company, Musk is now focusing on revenue from the platform.

Twitter Blue

As Twitter’s new CEO, Musk shared his intention to make the social media platform less reliant on advertising for revenue.

In particular, he is thinking of Twitter’s premium service, Twitter Blue.

Twitter Blue is currently available in four countries for $4.99 monthly.

According to Musk, he plans to increase the price to $8.

The most significant change, however, is that Twitter Blue will have a blue tick next to the user’s handle.

The blue checkmark is often seen on verified profiles, most of which belong to organizations, athletes, celebrities and internet celebrities.

Elon Musk’s plan serves to answer claims that the service would cost $20.

Changes

Tesla’s founder and CEO revealed his monetary plan in tweets.

Elon Musk talked about the current system, describing it as “bull****.”

He plans to offer the verification service to users who are willing to spend money every month.

The subscription service prioritizes interactions, comments and mentions for payers.

It also doubles as a method to combat spam.

Benefits of the service

Users who pay for the service can post longer videos and audio.

Additionally, Elon Musk says the change will see half of the ads that other users see.

Meanwhile, publishers who want to work with the social media platform will get a paywall bypass.

Another key feature that users who pay for Twitter Blue get is the ability to edit their own tweets finally.

For now, it is only enabled for Blue users.

However, according to Casey Newton of Platform, it will soon be free for everyone.

The arrival of the new update is a question of if and when, and upon arrival, users can write a secondary tag.

Secondary tags are currently exclusive to high-profile politicians.

Reference:

Musk to increase Twitter Blue subscription to $8, verified checkmarks will be secondary

Twitter suspends Kathy Griffin for posing as Musk

Edward Anderson on November 8, 2022

Twitter has a new owner, and although Elon Musk has promised free speech, there have already been numerous account suspensions.

Comedian Kathy Griffin is among those whose account was suspended for impersonating the new owner of the popular social media platform.

Suspension

Kathy Griffin was the first celebrity to lose her tweeting rights after a wave of users impersonated Musk last weekend.

The depiction points out the flaws in Twitter’s plans for a new verification system.

Subscription plans

Elon Musk used the $8 subscription as a signature to increase the company’s revenue and avoid relying on advertising.

The new plan launched over the weekend before the company decided to postpone the service until after the midterm elections.

The new Twitter Blue subscription gives paying users a blue checkmark on their profile.

The option was previously only available to celebrities, politicians, journalists and other public figures.

Elon Musk offers the new functionality as a solution to combat spam bots on the platform.

However, the plan did not sit well with people.

Celebrities and comedians

Over the weekend, several celebrities on Twitter impersonated Musk as an act of defiance.

Comedian Sarah Silverman copied Musk’s profile picture, cover photo, and name before tweeting:

“I am a freedom of speech absolutist and I eat doody for breakfast every day.”

Silverman also retweeted messages in support of Democratic candidates.

On Sunday, her account had a label saying it was “temporarily restricted” with an unusual activity warning on his account.

So the comedian restored her account with her original name and photo.

TV’s Valerie Bertinelli also changed her Twitter name to Elon Musk, tweeting:

“[t]he blue checkmark simply meant your identify was verified. Scammers would have a harder time importsonating you. That no longer applied. Good luck out there!”

Bertinelli later reverted back to her original account name and pictures, saying, “[o]key-dokey I’ve had my fun and I think I made my point.”

Elon Musk

Speaking of impersonations on Sunday, Twitter’s new owner wrote:

“Going forward, any Twitter handles engaging in impersonation without clearly specifying ‘parody’ will be permanently suspended.”

Elon Musk also clarified that Twitter users will not receive notification of their suspension.

“This will be clearly identified as a condition for signing up to Twitter Blue,” he explained.

As of Monday morning, Kathy Griffin’s account is suspended, and it’s unclear how long it will remain in effect.

The night before, Musk mocked Griffin, saying she got her suspension for impersonating a comedian.

He said she can get her account back online after paying $8 for Twitter Blue.

However, it’s unclear if Musk was serious about his comments.

Reference:

Kathy Griffin suspended from Twitter for impersonating Elon Musk