Twitter has launched a subscription service that allows users to buy blue tick verification for a monthly fee of $7.99 in a significant shift under its new owner, Elon Musk.
In an update for Apple iOS devices on Saturday, Twitter said that any users who “sign up now” for the premium “Twitter Blue” service will receive the blue tick.
The service is said to be available in the UK as well as the US, Canada, Australia and New Zealand.
The update said the service will provide “power to the people”, while it says the account will receive the blue tick, as will celebrities, companies and politicians.
So far, verified accounts don’t seem to be losing their blue verification.
The policy change is controversial, amid concerns that the platform could be flooded with fake accounts.